enlarged. Sins against body and mind were sins against the race, and
it was their creed that the stronger, fuller and more nearly complete
they made their lives the richer and fuller would be the life that
succeeded them. They scouted as utterly unproved and irrational the
idea that they could live after death, excepting as the plant lives by
adding to the material life and well-being of other plants. But at
that time the spring and vigor of youth were in their heart and brain,
and it seemed to them a glorious thing to live and do their part in
the advancement of the race toward a stage of perfection not dreamed
of by the unthinking masses.

Alas for their visions of future achievement! An avalanche of wealth
had overwhelmed Hilland. His letters to his friend had grown more and
more infrequent, and they contained many traces of the business cares
and the distractions inseparable from his possessions and new
relations. And now for causes just the reverse Graham also was
forsaking his studies. His modest inheritance, invested chiefly in
real estate, had so far depreciated that apparently it could not much
longer provide for even his frugal life abroad.

"I must give up my chosen career for a life of bread-winning," he had
concluded sadly, and he was ready to avail himself of any good opening
that offered. Therefore he knew not where his lot would be cast on the
broad continent beyond the revolving light that loomed every moment
more distinctly in the west.

A few days later found him at the residence of Mrs. Mayburn, a pretty
cottage in a suburb of an eastern city. This lady was his aunt by
marriage, and had long been a widow. She had never manifested much
interest in her nephew, but since she was his nearest relative he felt