And, indeed, the fifty thousand dollars did seem to make an impression

on the young man, who grew interested at once, making numerous

inquiries, asking where he would be most likely to see her.

"At church," was Anna's reply. "She is always there, and their pew joins

ours."

Dr. Richards was exceedingly vain, and his vanity manifested itself from

the tie of his neckerchief down to the polish of his boots. Once, had

Hugh Worthington known him intimately, he would have admitted that there

was at least one man whose toilet occupied quite as much time as

Adaline's. In Paris the vain doctor had indulged in the luxury of a

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valet, carefully keeping it a secret from his mother and sisters, who

were often compelled to deny themselves that the money he asked for so

often might be forthcoming. But that piece of extravagance was over now;

he dared not bring his valet home, though he sadly wished him there as

he meditated upon the appearance he would make in church next Sabbath.

He was glad there was something new and interesting in Snowdon in the

shape of a pretty girl, for he did not care to return at once to New

York, where he had intended practicing his profession. There were too

many sad memories clustering about that city to make it altogether

desirable, but Dr. Richards was not yet a hardened wretch, and thoughts

of another than Alice Johnson, with her glorious hair and still more

glorious figure, crowded upon his mind as on that first evening of his

return, he sat answering questions and asking others of his own.

It was late ere the family group broke up, and the storm, beating so

furiously upon Spring Bank, was just making its voice heard around

Terrace Hill mansion, when the doctor took the lamp the servant brought,

and bidding his mother and sisters good-night, ascended the stairs

whither Anna had gone before him. She was not, however, in bed, and

called softly to him: "John, Brother John, come in a moment, please."




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