It seemed to him that
there was a curse on the old man's wealth, that somehow it was destined
to bring him unhappiness.
The policeman waved his hand. The car jerked forward. The sudden
movement brought him to himself. He smiled, a little ashamed of having
been so fanciful; the sky was blue; the sun shone; a cool breeze put
the joy of life into him; and at his side Ruth sat, smiling now. From
her, too, the cloud had been lifted.
"It seems like a fairy-story," said Kirk, breaking the silence that had
fallen between them.
"I think it must have been the thought of Bill that made him do it,"
said Ruth. "He left half his money to Bailey and half to me during my
lifetime. Bailey's married now, by the way." She paused. "I'm afraid
father never forgave you, dear," she added. "He made Bailey the trustee
for the money, and it goes to Bill in trust after my death."
She looked at him rather nervously it seemed to Kirk. The terms of the
will had been the cause of some trouble to her. Especially had she
speculated on his reception of the news that Bailey was to play so
important a part in the administration of the money. Kirk had never
told her what had passed between him and Bailey that afternoon in the
studio, but her quick intelligence had enabled her to guess at the
truth; and she was aware that the minds of the two men, their
temperaments, were naturally antagonistic.
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