colonel added, "I believe, Hathaway, I am looked upon as a queer
survival of a rather lawless and improper past. At least, I have
thought it better not socially to compromise her by my presence.
The Mayor goes there--at the examinations and exercises, I believe,
sir; they make a sort of reception for him--with a--a--banquet--
lemonade and speeches."

"I had intended to leave for Sacramento to-morrow night," said
Paul, glancing curiously at the helpless man; "but I will go there
if you wish."

"Thank you. It will be better."

There were a few words of further explanation of the papers, and
Pendleton placed the packet in his visitor's hands. Paul rose.
Somehow, it appeared to him that the room looked more faded and
forgotten than when he entered it, and the figure of the man before
him more lonely, helpless, and abandoned. With one of his
sympathetic impulses he said:--

"I don't like to leave you here alone. Are you sure you can help
yourself without George? Can I do anything before I go?"

"I am quite accustomed to it," said Pendleton, quietly. "It
happens once or twice a year, and when I go out--well--I miss more
than I do here."

He took Paul's proffered hand mechanically, with a slight return of
the critical, doubting look he had cast upon him when he entered.
his voice, too, had quite recovered its old dominance, as he said,