rich? Well, he guessed
not. If he had consented at Fanny's urgent pleadings, it was because
his fiancee had told him it would help Virginia. Mr. Stafford, Fanny
said, was simply crazy about her and might propose to her any day.
After all, it could do no harm to have a millionaire in the family.
Besides, he was a big railroad man. He might help him to do something
with his "no stop" idea. But he must be on his guard and not allow
sentiment to interfere with business. This Stafford must not think
that because he invited him to dinner and might one day become his
brother-in-law that he was going to get the "no-stop" invention cheap.
No, siree--no one should get the best of him!

Oku had approached Virginia, who, having crossed the room, was gazing
through the casement windows at the splendid view. Salaaming low, he
said:

"Miss--will take cocktail?"

"No--thank you," she answered with a smile.

The butler turned to Fanny, who looked significantly at Jimmie as if
desirous of consulting his wishes in so important a matter.

"Sure!" he said in an aside not intended to reach the butler's ears.

But Oku was nothing if not discreet. He never allowed himself to hear
anything. When Fanny nodded he merely inquired politely:

"What kind--please?"

Jimmie grinned and licked his lips. Turning to his future wife he
asked:

"What do you like?"

"What kind do you?" she laughed, anxious to keep him in good humor.

"Martini suits me all right."

Oku bowed to the ground.

"Yes, miss. Two Martini cocktails. Excuse, please! Excuse!"

With another profound salaam and retreating backwards towards the door
as if in the presence of royalty, the Japanese butler made an
impressive exit.

Jimmie had watched Oku's every movement with the greatest amusement.
When he was out of earshot he remarked with a chuckle:

"Great little chink, that!"

Fanny laughed. Teasingly she said:

"He's not a Chinaman, Jim. Don't you know a Japanese when you see
one?"

"They all look alike to me," he grinned.

Profiting by the butler's absence, the shipping clerk started on a
tour of critical inspection of the salon. Looking around, he exclaimed
with enthusiasm:

"Say--this is some room, eh?"

Virginia had left the window and was admiring some water-colors on the
walls. Overhearing the exclamation, she looked up, her glance taking
in the whole room.

"Yes--it is beautiful," she said ecstatically.

Fanny, who had been diligently rubbing th