rst kind of fakers. All they do is to
look wise, scribble on a bit of paper some words no one can read--not
even the druggist--and charge you a two-spot. It's to laugh!"

"Dr. Everett doesn't charge us anything--so you're wrong for once,"
interrupted Virginia, glad of the opportunity to give him a dig.

"I ain't talkin' about any particular doctor," went on the shipping
clerk, unabashed. "I'm agin all doctors. They're a bunch of crooks, I
tell you. It's you women with your imaginary ailments who keep 'em
going. If doctors had to depend on men for a living, they'd have to
take to shovelling snow."

"Hardly in summer time," said Virginia dryly.

"No," he retorted as quickly; "then they could run ice cream parlors."

Fanny, who had resumed darning her socks, smiled. She enjoyed these
little encounters between her sister and her fiance. Virginia was no
mean antagonist when it came to an argument, but she was no match for
Jimmie. However, thinking the sparring had gone far enough, she
adroitly changed the conversation.

"Well, how's business to-day, Jim?"

"Oh, on the blink--as usual. Nothing doing; I'm sick of the whole
outfit. But say, girls--!"

"What?" exclaimed Fanny.

"You won't tell anyone if I tell you something?"

Virginia looked up from her book. Even she was interested.

"No," said Fanny, "we won't tell. What is it?"

Jimmie sat up and cleared his throat as if preparing to make some
highly important communication. Then, leaning forward, he said in an
impressive tone:

"I've got the greatest idea--"

"Really?" exclaimed Virginia sceptically.

Too full of egotism and self-importance to note her sarcasm, the young
man beamed with self-satisfaction as he proceeded enthusiastically:

"Greatest thing you ever heard of! There's millions in it. My name
will ring round the world. If only I can get the backing, my fortune
is made--"

Fanny's face flushed with pleasure as she bent eagerly forward to hear
every detail of this scheme which would some day make her a rich
woman. Even if the dream never came true, the mere hope that it might
was enough to give her a thrill. Virginia remained cold. She was more
cynical, having already heard many speeches of the same kind and from
the same quarter--all dealing with wonderful projects that invariably
met with a sudden death. This announcement of a new idea, therefore,
did not even make her look up.

Expanding his chest, Jimmie proceeded with dignity.

"This