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Three ain, and Zora sat in the transforreat oak, dreaolden day she dared not formulate even to her own soul She rose with a start, for there ork to do Aunt Rachel was ill, and Emma went daily to attend her; today, as she caht news that Colonel Cresswell, who had been unwell for several days, orse She must send Elanced toward the Cresswell Oaks and saw the arm-chair of its master on the pillared porch

Colonel Cresswell sat in his chair on the porch, alone As far as he could see, there was no human soul His eyes were blood-shot, his cheeks sunken, and his breath caasps A sort of terror shook his of black folk in the fields He sighed, and lying back, closed his eyes and the breath ca up the avenue of the Oaks He watched it greedily It was Mary Cresswell, and she started when she saw him

"You are worse, father?" she asked

"Worse and better," he replied, s cynically Then suddenly he announced: "I've made my will"

"Why--why--" she sta to die"

She said nothing He sot it all fixed Harry was in a tight place--gaave hiave John Taylor--you needn't look I sent for him He's a damned scoundrel; but he won't lie, and I needed hiacies One was one hundred thousand dollars for you--"

"Oh, father!" she cried "I don't deserve it"

"I reckon two years with Harry orth about that ift of two hundred thousand dollars and this house and plantation Whom do you think that's for?"

"Helen?"

"Helen!" he raised his hand in threatening anger "I ht rot here for all she cares No--no--but then--I'll not tell you--I--ah--" A spasm of pain shot across his face, and he lay back white and still Abruptly he sat up again and peered down the oaks "Hush!" he gasped "Who's that?"

"I don't know--it's a girl--I--"

He gripped her till she winced

"My God--it walks--like my wife--I tell you--she held her head so--who is it?" He half rose

"Oh, father, it's nobody but Eirl She's a nurse now, and I asked to have her come and attend you"