the chalky, bluish-green waters, the distant sails, the gulls, and
then the new bright homes, reflected that in all certitude she
would some day be the mistress of one of these splendid mansions.
How haughtily she would carry herself; how she would dress! They
would have a splendid house, much finer, no doubt, than Frank's
old one in Philadelphia, with a great ball-room and dining-room
where she could give dances and dinners, and where Frank and she
would receive as the peers of these Chicago rich people.

"Do you suppose we will ever have a house as fine as one of these,
Frank?" she asked him, longingly.

"I'll tell you what my plan is," he said. "If you like this
Michigan Avenue section we'll buy a piece of property out here now
and hold it. Just as soon as I make the right connections here
and see what I am going to do we'll build a house--something really
nice--don't worry. I want to get this divorce matter settled, and
then we'll begin. Meanwhile, if we have to come here, we'd better
live rather quietly. Don't you think so?"

It was now between five and six, that richest portion of a summer
day. It had been very warm, but was now cooling, the shade of the
western building-line shadowing the roadway, a moted, wine-like
air filling the street. As far as the eye could see were carriages,
the one great social diversion of Chicago, because there was
otherwise so little opportunity for many to show that they had
means. The social forces were not as yet clear or harmonious.
Jingling harnesses of nickel, silver, and even plated gold were
the sign manual of social hope, if not of achievement. Here sped
homeward from the city--from office and manufactory--along this