He had made his will,--that was true!--but who could guarantee that she whom he had chosen as his heiress would live to inherit his wealth?
"I wish I did not think of such horrible things!" he said wearily--"Or I wish I could walk faster, and get home--home to the little cottage quickly, and see for myself that she is safe and well!" Sitting among the long grass and field flowers by the roadside, he grasped his stick in one hand and leaned his head upon that support, closing his eyes in sheer fatigue and despondency.

Suddenly a sound startled him, and he struggled to his feet, his eyes shining with an intent and eager look.

That clear, tender voice!--that quick, sweet cry! "David!" He listened with a vague and dreamy sense of pleasure.

The soft patter of feet across the grass--the swish of a dress against the leaves, and then--then--why, here was Mary herself, one tress of her lovely hair tumbling loose in the sun, her eyes bright and her cheeks crimson with running.
"Oh, David, dear old David! Here you are at last! Why _did_ you go away! We have missed you dreadfully! David, you look _so_ tired!--where have you been?
Angus and I have been waiting for you ever so long,--you said in your letter you would be back by Sunday, and we thought you would likely choose to-day to come--oh, David ?--you are quite worn out! Don't--don't give way!" For with the longed-for sight of her, the world's multi-millionaire had become only a weak, over-wrought old man, and his tired heart had leaped in his breast with quite a poor and common human joy which brought the tears falling from his eyes despite himself.

She was beside him in a moment, her arm thrown affectionately about his shoulders, and her sweet face turned up close to his, all aglow with sympathy and tenderness.
"Why did you leave us ?" she went on with a gentle playfulness, though the tears were in her own eyes.