shrill of voice. "It was just the course of
business. The law was with our company."

Jane said nothing. She simply gazed steadily at her father. He
avoided her glance.

"I don't want to hear no more about it," he burst out with abrupt
violence. "Not another word!"

"Father, I want it settled--and settled right," said the girl. "I ask
it as a favor. Don't do it as a matter of business, but as a matter of
sentiment."

He shifted uneasily, debating. When he spoke he was even more
explosive than before. "Not a cent! Not a red! Give that whelp money
to run his crazy paper on? Not your father, while he keeps his mind."

"But--mightn't that quiet him?" pleaded she. "What's the use of having
war when you can have peace? You've always laughed at people who let
their prejudices stand in the way of their interests. You've always
laughed at how silly and stupid and costly enmities and revenges are.
Now's your chance to illustrate, popsy." And she smiled charmingly at
him.

He was greatly softened by her manner--and by the wisdom of what she
said--a wisdom in which, as in a mirror, he recognized with pleasure
her strong resemblance to himself. "That wouldn't be a bad idea, Jen,"
said he after reflection, "IF I could get a guarantee."

"But why not do it generously?" urged the girl. "Generosity inspires
generosity. You'll make him ashamed of himself."

With a cynical smile on his shrivelled face the old man slowly shook
his big head that made him look as top-heavy as a newborn baby. "That
isn't as smart, child, as what you said before. It's in them things
that the difference between theory and practice shows. He'd take the
money and laugh at me. No, I'll try to get a guarantee." He nodded
and chuckled. "Yes, that was a good idea of yours, Jen."

"But--isn't it just possible that he is a man with--with principles of
a certain kind?" suggested she.

"Of course, he THINKS so," said Hastings. "They all do. But you don't
suppose a man of any sense at all could really care about and respect
working class people?--ignorant, ungrateful fools. _I_ know 'em.
Didn't I come from among 'em? Ain't I dealt with 'em all my life? No,
that there guy Dorn's simply trying to get up, and is using them to
step up on. I did the same thing, only I did it in a decent,
law-abiding way. I didn't want to tear down those that was up. I
wanted to go up and join 'em. And I did."

And his eyes glistened fondly and prou