THE OAKLEYS
together to do him homage. Fair women, yes, and Frank would look upon them all and see reflected in them but a tithe of the glory of one woman, and that woman Claire Lessing. He roused himself and laughed again as he tapped the magic envelope.
"My fancies go on and conquer the world for my brother," he muttered. "He will follow their flight one day and do it himself."
The letter drew his eyes back to it. It seemed to invite him, to beg him even. "No, I will not do it; I will wait until Leslie comes. She will be as glad to hear the good news as I am."
His dreams were taking the shape of reality in his mind, and he was believing all that he wanted to believe.
He turned to look at a picture painted by Frank which hung over the mantel. He dwelt lovingly upon it, seeing in it the touch of a genius.
"Surely," he said, "this new picture
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