still shone against the dark shadow of the mountain-side.

Between the mighty walls of tree-clad hills that lifted their solemn
crests into the midnight sky, the dark river poured the sombre strength
of its innumerable currents,--terrible in its awful power; dreadful, in
its mysterious and unseen forces; irresistible in its ceaseless, onward
rush to the sea of its final and infinite purpose!

And here and there on the restless, ever-moving surface of the shadowy,
never-ending flood twinkled the reflection of a star.



CHAPTER XXII.

AT THE EMPIRE CONSOLIDATED SAVINGS BANK.


The President of the Empire Consolidated Savings Bank looked up from the
papers on his desk as his secretary entered from the adjoining room and
stood before him.

"Well, George?"

The secretary smiled as he spoke: "Mr. Ward, there is an old lady out
here who insists that you will see her. The boys passed her on to me,
because,--well, she is not the kind of woman that can be refused. She
has no card, but her name is Wakefield. She--"

The dignified President of the Empire Consolidated Savings Bank