ound. Personal confidences
between people so closely united are really the most trying of all.
Human souls are constantly trying to find each other, and rarely
succeeding.

"You know," he finally said to her once, when he came in rather
unexpectedly and found her sick in bed, her eyes wet, and her maid
dismissed for the day, "I understand what this is all about. To tell
you the truth, Aileen, I rather expected it. We have been going too
fast, you and I. We have been pushing this matter too hard. Now, I
don't like to see you taking it this way, dear. This battle isn't lost.
Why, I thought you had more courage than this. Let me tell you
something which you don't seem to remember. Money will solve all this
sometime. I'm winning in this fight right now, and I'll win in others.
They are coming to me. Why, dearie, you oughtn't to despair. You're
too young. I never do. You'll win yet. We can adjust this matter
right here in Chicago, and when we do we will pay up a lot of scores at
the same time. We're rich, and we're going to be richer. That will
settle it. Now put on a good face and look pleased; there are plenty of
things to live for in this world besides society. Get up now and
dress, and we'll go for a drive and dinner down-town. You have me yet.
Isn't that something?"

"Oh yes," sighed Aileen, heavily; but she sank back again. She put her
arms about his neck and cried, as much out of joy over the consolation
he offered as over the loss she had endured. "It was as much for you
as for me," she sighed.

"I know that," he soothed; "but don't worry about it now. You will
come out all right. We both will. Come, get up." Nevertheless, he was
sorry to see her yield so weakly. It did not please him. He resolved
some day to have a grim adjustment with society on this score.
Meanwhile Aileen was recovering her spirits. She was ashamed of her
weakness when she saw how forcefully he faced it all.

"Oh, Frank," she exclaimed, finally, "you're always so wonderful.
You're such a darling."

"Never mind," he said, cheerfully. "If we don't win this game here in
Chicago, we will somewhere."

He was thinking of the brilliant manner in which he had adjusted his
affairs with the old gas companies and Mr. Schryhart, and how
thoroughly he would handle some other matters when the time came.

Chapter XIV

Undercurrents

It was during the year that followed their social repudiation, and the
next and the nex