ngled
deliciously under the pompous boastings of the Dowager Lady Altern. The
house of Altern? Why, Mrs. Hawley-Crowles was convinced, after a
half hour's conversation with this proud mother, that the royal house
of Brunswick was but an impudent counterfeit! What was La Libertad
worth? She knew not. But her sister's brother, Mr. Reed, who had
hastily appraised it, had said that there was a mountain of gold there,
only awaiting Yankee enterprise. And Carmen? There was proof positive
that she was an Inca princess. Yes, Mrs. Hawley-Crowles was so honored
by the deep interest which the young Duke manifested in the wonderful
girl! And she would undertake negotiations with her at once. But it
must be done wisely. Carmen was not like other girls. No, indeed!

And now Mrs. Hawley-Crowles had to plan very carefully. She was terribly
in debt; yet she had resources. The Beaubien was inexhaustible. Ames,
too, might be depended upon. And La Libertad--well, there was Mr.
Philip O. Ketchim to reckon with. So she forthwith summoned him to a
consultation.

But, ere her talk with that prince of finance, another bit of good
fortune fell into the lady's spacious lap. Reed had written that he
was doing poorly with his western mining ventures, and would have to
raise money at once. He therefore offered to sell his interest in the
Simiti Company. Moreover, he wanted his wife to come to him and make
her home in California, where he doubtless would spend some years.
Mrs. Hawley-Crowles offered him twenty-five thousand dollars for his
Simiti interest; of which offer Reed wired his immediate acceptance.
Then the lady packed her rueful sister Westward Ho! and laid her newly
acquired stock before the Beaubien for a large loan. That was but a
day before Ketchim called.

"Madam," said that suave gentleman, smiling piously, "you are a
genius. Our ability to announce the Duke of Altern as our largest
stockholder will result in a boom in the sales of Simiti stock. The
Lord has greatly prospered our humble endeavors. Er--might I ask,
Madam, if you would condescend to meet my wife some afternoon? We are
rapidly acquiring some standing in a financial way, and Mrs. Ketchim
would like to know you and some of the more desirable members of your
set, if it might be arranged."

Mrs. Hawley-Crowles beamed her joy. She drew herself up with a regnant
air. The people were coming to her, their social queen, for
recognition!

"And there's my Uncle Ted, you know