ourse," I stammered, trying to accept the demand as
quite an ordinary one. "When?"

"By eight o'clock to-night."

"Very well," I said. "But I suppose you know that, to secure the money
so quickly, some of your securities will have to be sacrificed. It's a
bear market."

"I don't care--sacrifice them. Only I must have that sum to-night."

"Very well," I said again. "But I hope you will tell me, if you can,
what the money is for, Mrs. Magnus. Perhaps my advice--"

"No, it won't," she broke in. "This isn't a case for advice. There's
nothing else for me to do. I've been fighting it and fighting
it--but--"

She ended with a little gesture of helplessness and resignation.

"Perhaps we might borrow the money," I suggested, "until a better
market--"

"No," she broke in again, "you know I won't borrow. So don't talk
about it."

It was one of the fundamental tenets of this woman's financial creed
that on no account was money to be borrowed.

"Very well," I said a third time; "I will get the money. I will look
over the market and decide how it would best be done. Have you any
suggestions to make?"

"No," she answered; "I leave it all to you."

This was almost more astonishing than the demand for the money had
been. Mrs. Magnus was clearly upset.

"I shall probably have to send some papers up to you this afternoon
for your signature," I added.

"I shall be at home. And remember I must have the money without fail."

"I will bring it to you myself. I think you said eight o'clock?"

"Yes--not later than that."

"I will have it there by that time," I assured her.

She started to rise, then sank back in her chair and looked at me.
Yes, she was frightened.

"Mr. Lester," she said, her voice suddenly hoarse and broken, "I think
I will tell you--what I can. I--I have no one else."

For the first time in my life I found myself pitying her. It was
true--she had no one else.

"Don't think that I've been gambling or speculating or anything of
that sort," she went on. "I have hesitated a long time before asking
for this money--I don't enjoy giving away fifty thousand dollars."

"Giving it away?" I repeated. Certainly she was not the woman to enjoy
doing that!

"Yes--giving it away! But--I must have peace! Another such night as
last night--"

A sudden pallor spread across her face, and she touched her
handkerchief hastily to lips and eyes.

"My--my husband wishes it," she added, almost in a whisper.

I don't k