Norman resumed his place in his father\'s home and began a systematic, persistent, and enthusiastic campaign to raise the funds to purchase the island of Ventura and establish the ideal Commonwealth of Man.

On the day of the big mass-meeting of Socialists, who had gathered from every state of the Golden West, Elena found her guardian seated alone on the broad veranda overlooking the Bay of San Francisco. A look of deep trouble clouded his strong face.

"You are worried?" she said, seating herself by his side.

"Yes, dearie," was the moody answer.

"Over Norman\'s meeting?"

"Yes. The boy\'s set his heart on this big foolish enterprise. His failure is a certainty. I don\'t know what may follow."

"You are sure he can\'t raise the money?"

"Absolutely. The disappointment will be a stunning blow to his pride."

"You know that if he did succeed in raising the [106]money, and establishing his brotherhood of man, the scheme would end in failure?"

"As clearly as I know I am living."

"Would you be sorry if the dream should be realized?"

"On the other hand, I\'d shout for joy to find the human race capable of such a miracle."

Elena gently touched his hand. "Then, Guardie, there\'s but one thing to do," she said, with a deep, spiritual look in her blue eyes.

"What?"

"Give Norman a round million dollars to make the experiment."

The Colonel looked at her in amazement, and suddenly sprang to his feet, pacing the floor with feverish steps. He stopped at last before the girl and studied her.

"Don\'t let Norman know who gave the money," she continued. "It will be a big, noble, beautiful thing to do—and—it will save him."

"What a wonderful woman you are, Elena!"

He paused and looked at her steadily. "I\'m going to do it!"


When Norman returned at midnight from the mass-meeting his face was flushed and his eyes sparkled.

[107]"It\'s done, Governor! It\'s done!" he fairly shouted.

"You mean the half million was subscribed?" the Colonel asked.

"Yes, and more!" he went on, excitedly. "We have succeeded beyond my wildest hopes. We had subscriptions for a hundred thousand. Fifty thousand more was subscribed at the meeting by the delegates, and just as we were about to adjourn Judge Clark, a famous lawyer, rose and announced the gift of a round million to the cause by a group of friends whose names he refused to ma............