e up her mind to the sacrifice
and decided that she would break up the home in Mapleton and with her
husband try again their fortune.

"But four thousand dollars," she said, "is surely a small price."

"Small? I know it is small, but Martin knows I am in a corner. He is a
highway robber."

It was a bitter experience for him to be forced to confess himself a
business failure, and with this bitterness there mingled a feeling of
hostility toward all successful business men. To him it seemed that in
order to win success in business a man must become, like Mr. Martin,
a highway robber. In this mood of bitterness and hostility toward
successful men, Mr. Sleighter found him the next day.

"Couldn't find you at the store," said that gentleman, walking in with
his hat on his head. "I wanted to get this business straightened up,
so I just came in. Won't take more than five minutes. I guess you won't
mind taking a little check from me. Your business turned out better than
that fool of an assignee thought. Don't hurt me any, of course. I got
all that was comin' to me out of it, but here's this check. Perhaps
you'll sign the receipt. I guess they been puttin' it over you all
right. You're a little too soft with 'em."

Mr. Gwynne was an even-tempered man, but Mr. Sleighter's patronising
manner and his criticism of his business ability wrought in him a rage
that he could with difficulty control. He remembered he was in his own
house, however, and that the man before him was a stranger. While he was
searching for pen and ink the door opened and his wife entered the room.
Mr. Sleighter, with his hat still upon his head, was intently gazing
out of the window, easily rocking on the two hind legs of the chair. The
door opened behind him.

"My dear," said Mr. Gwynne, "will you excuse me? I am engaged."

"Oh, I beg your pardon, I didn't know any one was here. I merely
wanted--"

Mr. Sleighter glanced over his shoulder.

"Mr. Sleighter," said Mr. Gwynne. "My wife."

It was not his tone, however, that brought Mr. Sleighter hurriedly to
his feet with his hat in his hand. It was something in the bearing of
the little lady standing behind him.

"Pleased to meet you, ma'am. I hope you are well," he said, bowing
elaborately before her.

"Thank you very much, I am quite well. I have heard a great deal about
you, Mr. Sleighter. I am glad to meet you."

Mr. Sleighter held her hand a moment while her eyes rested quietly and
kindly, if