nd when he led Jane to the altar she rejoiced in
having captured a husband worth at least $50,000.

He vied with Brewster in patronizing Barbara's booth, and he rushed
into the conflict with an impetuosity that seemed destined to carry
everything before it. Monty was brushed aside, Barbara was preempted as
if she were a mining claim and ten days after his arrival in New York,
Grimes was the most talked-of man in town. Brewster was not the sort to
be dispatched without a struggle, however. Recognizing Grimes as an
obstacle, but not as a rival, he once more donned his armor and beset
Barbara with all the zest of a champion who seeks to protect and not to
conquer. He regarded the Californian as an impostor and summary action
was necessary. "I know all about him, Babs," he said one day after he
felt sure of his position. "Why, his father was honored by the V. C, on
the coast in '49."

"The Victoria Cross?" asked Barbara, innocently.

"No, the vigilance committee."

In this way Monty routed the enemy and cleared the field before the end
of another week. Grimes transferred his objectionable affection and
Barbara was not even asked to be wife number three. Brewster's campaign
was so ardent that he neglected other duties deplorably, falling far
behind his improvident average. With Grimes disposed of, he once more
forsook the battlefield of love and gave his harassed and undivided
attention to his own peculiar business.

The fast-and-loose game displeased Miss Barbara greatly. She was at
first surprised, then piqued, then resentful. Monty gradually awoke to
the distressing fact that she was going to be intractable, as he put
it, and forthwith undertook to smooth the troubled sea. To his
amazement and concern she was not to be appeased.

"Does it occur to you, Monty," she said, with a gentle coldness that
was infinitely worse than heat, "that you have been carrying things
with a pretty high hand? Where did you acquire the right to interfere
with my privileges? You seem to think that I am not to speak to any man
but you."

"O, come now, Babs," retorted Monty, "I've not been quite as
unreasonable as that. And you know yourself that Grimes is the worst
kind of a bounder."

"I know nothing of the sort," replied the lady, with growing
irritation. "You say that about every man who gives me a smile or a
flower. Does it indicate such atrocious taste?"

"Don't be silly, Barbara. You know perfectly well that you have talked
to