guidance of astute men like himself? It was
maddening to contemplate. Here was one who could be clothed in purple
and fine linen and fare sumptuously every day, without so much as
lifting her little white finger, and she was planning an infinity of
care and worriment, possibly the loss of everything, rather than a calm
acceptance of her rosy fortune. It fairly disgusted him!

His vis-a-vis, watching him with her keen dark eyes, read these thoughts
as if his brain had been a printed page before her, and in spite of
herself laughed outright; in his very teeth--a merry little peal as
spontaneous as a sunburst.

"Pardon me!" she begged, trying vainly to control herself, "but you did
look so hopeless, Mr. Harrington. I know I'm a nuisance to you, and I
appreciate that this solicitude for my interests is more than I've any
right to expect when I disappoint you so. If you were not so old a
friend I wouldn't feel so guilty. Yet in spite of all--I am resolved."

She said the last three words quite gently, with a level gaze that met
his own frowning one and held it. She did not nod nor bridle, and her
air was almost deprecating in its modesty, but he felt the battle was
over and she was the victor. She would be her own mistress, girl that
she was, and he could not turn her. He leaned back in a relaxed attitude
and asked in a changed voice, "Will you then care to retain the services
of Barrington and Woodstock?"

There was not a hint of triumph in tone or manner as she answered
quickly,

"Most certainly, if I may. There will be a constant need of your advice,
I know. And now, Mr. Barrington, shall we settle the matter of salary,
or do you prefer to make a separate charge for each occasion?"

His smile was rather grim as he arose and took down a bundle of papers
and documents, slipped them rapidly from hand to hand, then laid them in
order before him.

"I think the salary might be best for you," he answered.

"So do I," blithely, "for I shall probably bore you to death!"

This matter having been satisfactorily adjusted, the lawyer, with a
rather ironical air, observed,

"If I am not trenching upon forbidden ground, might I ask a few more
questions concerning this scheme of yours?"

"As many as you like, sir."

"Thank you. I take it for granted you will retain Mr. Dalton as
manager?"

"Yes."

"And most of the employees as at present?"

"All, for aught I know."

"And you speak of building up a town--just what doe