that a bit of the September beauty crept for a moment into his lonely old heart. Instead of brushing past him, as was his custom, and expressing his disdain by the straightness of his back, Norton surprised Cross by letting his step fall in with his.

"Feeling easier about that money, aren't you?" he asked without preliminaries.

"I don't usually discuss business matters on the Sabbath day," Cross replied, assuming a non-committal attitude in order to recover from his surprise.

"I'd hate to take a chance on offering you that bank stock you want, even on the Sabbath, unless I was willing to let it go," Norton chuckled.

"There might be some exceptions," Cross admitted. "Why did you hold back that note that fell due on Friday?" Norton inquired. "There was plenty of money in the bank to take care of it."

Henry Cross looked up quickly. After what Treadway had said to him, Norton's remark was a bit surprising. Safely deposited among his securities was a renewal of this note, bearing James Norton's signature. "You know why that note wasn't presented."

"You are right," Norton shouted. "I do know, but I didn't think you knew I knew. I'd like nothing better than to have you present it. You don't dare!"

Cross regarded his companion critically to make sure that he was in earnest.

"I thought you were a business man, or is your memory failing? It isn't customary to present a note for payment after accepting a renewal."

"What!" exclaimed Norton.

"A renewal? You're

crazy! No renewal has ever been issued for that note, and never will be."

There could be no question of the sincerity of Norton's statement, and Henry Cross found himself somewhat bewildered.

"Either you're surpassing yourself in bluffing," he said, "or there's something here neither one of us understands. I hold a renewal of that note in my safe-deposit box at the bank. I can't get at it today, but if it would interest you to see it I'll show it to you at the bank meeting tomorrow morning."

"You do that," Norton cried; "and let me know where you got it. Good day to you."

Norton stamped off, bringing down his heavy cane with resounding thumps on the new granolithic sidewalk which was the town's pride. Henry Cross watched him as the distance between them widened, then he, too, proceeded to his home with much the same feeling of bewilderment which Norton himself experienced.

III

On this same Sunday Richard Norton was discovered, and it was Barry O'Carolan who found him. The bills had come in for Jack Munsey's funeral, and Barry needed the contribution which Richard had so freely pledged. Every one accepted the report which Alec Sterling circulated that young Norton was out of town, and many were the conjectures and comments occasioned by his continued absence at just this crisis. Having no better idea come to him, Barry hobbled down to Richard's boarding-place, hoping to gain informa

tion which would enable him to acquaint "the Capt'n" with the situation.

Olga met him at the door of Richard's chamber and barred his entrance. Her attitude and the defiant expression on her face were in themselves a direct challenge.

"What are you doin' here?" Barry demanded.

"None of your business, Barry O'Carolan," she replied angrily. "Why are you snooping around, any way?"

"I want to find out where the Capt'n is. I've got somethin' important to say to him. And I'm guessin' he's not very far from where we're standin' now."

"S-ssh!" she whispered anxiously, seeing that concealment was no longer possible. "Mr. Richard has been awful sick, and I have been nursing him. But you will not give him away, will you, Barry? He does not want the men to know that he is so sick for fear Tony will take advantage of it. You will not give him away, will you?"

Barry was bewildered, but if Richard wished the knowledge of his illness to be suppressed, that was enough.

"He's not much sick, is he?"

"He is better now, but he cannot see any one yet. The doctor says he may in a few days."

"Can't I tell even Miss Lola? She's terrible worried about him."

"No . . . no! not her!" the girl exclaimed impulsively, fearful lest this knowledge should result in having the "Stewart lady" supplant her.

"When can I see him?" Barry demanded, instinctively resenting the protective attitude Olga assumed. He had given his word to Lola that things were going to come out all right for her, and the present situation contained elements which made him wonder if he had made a false estimate after all. He had assured her that Richard's work with the men could never take the place of what a woman could be in his life, but here another woman

was a woman

Olga's eyes anxiously followed the changing expression on Barry's face, and she could not fail to note his disapproval. The security she had enjoyed was threatened, and she must act promptly and daringly. She knew how loyal the one-legged man was to Richard. If he could be convinced that things were as "the Capt'n" wished them to be her secret might be kept at least a little longer.

"Barry," she said, after a delay in answering the question, “I think it would be all right for you to see Mr. Richard today. The doctor lets Alec Sterling come in, and I will take a chance."

"Fine!" he cried, relieved to have the situation clear so unexpectedly; "but first let me go and get some flowers for him. It won't take me more than half an hour. . . You can't have a person sick without havin' flowers, you know, . . they sort of go together . . . I'll be right back."

"You will not tell anybody where he is?"

"Not if he says himself that he don't want people to know," was the guarded reply as Barry hobbled down the stairs.

When he returned, Olga admitted him at once. As she had said, Richard was better now, and the girl had greater difficulty in enforcing the doctor's injunction to keep him quiet. Alec Sterling came in to see him once each day, so that the invalid was in touch with the strike as far as it seemed wise for him to know. Olga took her place at the head of the bed, still jealously watchful.

"Hello, Barry," Richard greeted him; "this is a nice trick I've played on myself, isn't it?"

"But not for long, Capt'n. You'll be out again in a few days."

"I must be," Richard replied emphatically. "Here are some flowers for you Barry laid the gorgeous bunch of chrysanthemums on the coverlet where Richard could reach them.

"They're from Miss Lola's garden," he added, watching to see what effect the mention of the name would have.

"So they are, . . I know just the spot where you picked them, Barry. How is Miss Lola, and the Stewarts, and everybody?"

"As well as they could be after worryin' 'bout you." "Oh, there's nothing to worry about," Richard insisted. "I did too much, that's all. I'm feeling fine today, and I'll be on my job soon, I promise you

I'm sorry I couldn't go to Jack's funeral. Tell Olga how much my share is. She is my treasurer now." Richard looked up smilingly into the girl's face, and took in his the hand which rested lightly on his shoulder.