s the girl!" he exclaimed, releasing her.

Deathly white and with a set, determined expression on her face,
Virginia broke from his embrace and hurried away to join her sister
who, dreading a scene, had discreetly withdrawn into the bedroom.
Stafford stood looking after her, a stupid expression on his face as
if of mild surprise at her resistance. When she had disappeared, he
turned to his employee. For a few moments he did not speak and the
younger man was beginning to feel uncomfortable under his close
scrutiny when Stafford suddenly blurted out:

"Jimmie!"

"Yes."

"What salary are you getting?"

"A hundred--"

Stafford shook his head. Smiling, he said:

"No, you're not--you're getting a hundred and fifty!"

The clerk stared at his employer, not comprehending. What did he mean?
Was this the long expected and hoped for raise in his salary, or was
he the victim of a drunken jest?"

"I'm only getting a hundred," he stammered.

Stafford nodded encouragingly. Amiably he said:

"Now you're getting a hundred and fifty--"

The clerk's face broadened into a grin. At last his ability was
receiving tardy acknowledgment. Hadn't he told Fanny months ago that
he was worth the money? Well, better late than never! He was about to
express his thanks when the millionaire interrupted him with a
careless gesture.

"When you're really worth twenty, I'll make it two hundred--"

The young man's expression fell. Had he heard aright? What could the
boss mean?

"Twenty?" he echoed, puzzled.

Stafford laughed loudly. Mockingly he said:

"Yes, I have a system about you. I pay you ten times what I think
you're worth."

The listener's jaw dropped a few inches more. This did not sound as if
his employer appreciated his merit any too much. Instinctively, he
glanced around to see if anyone had overheard. It was just as well
Fanny was not present. "Oh, you do?" he exclaimed with a crestfallen
air.

Stafford seemed to enjoy the young man's discomfiture. Promptly he
went on to explain:

"When you first came I figured you were worth five dollars, so I gave
you fifty. When I thought you were worth seven dollars and a half, I
gave you seventy-five, and when I thought you were really earning ten,
I raised it to a hundred!"

Utterly unnerved by this unexpected blow to his pride, completely
cowed, the young man stood staring foolishly at the railroad promoter,
not daring to raise his voice in protest, completely intimidated by