rather frail, and I believe he'd be
better and happier if he went back into business now."

"Why doesn't he, then?" the other asked. "He still retains his
interest in the agency, doesn't he?"

"Yes, I believe so. But it's largely a matter of pride with him. He
retired because it was necessary for the firm to resign the Guardian,
and I doubt whether he would go back unless it could be arranged that
the Guardian go back too. Can't you arrange it?"

"Well, hardly--that is, right away," Smith replied. "Present
conditions are about the same as when the company left the Osgood
agency, but I feel more encouraged, myself, to believe there may be a
way around. I'll call on Mr. Osgood to-morrow the first thing I
do--no, the second."

"What is the first?--if I may ask."

"To close the agency of our present Boston representatives, Messrs.
Sternberg, Bloom, and McCoy. And now tell me the news about Mr.
Charles Wilkinson, the hero of the Hurd trolley schedule."

"Mr. Wilkinson is about to extend his responsibilities in connection
with the Hurd family."

"You don't mean that old John M. Hurd was so impressed that he--?"

"Quite another thing. Undoubtedly Mr. Hurd was impressed with Mr.
Wilkinson's talents as an insurance broker, but scarcely to the extent
of desiring him for a son-in-law."

"A son-in-law! You mean--"

"That Charlie got a trolley schedule and a fiancee out of the same
family."

"Well, well! So Miss Hurd is going to marry Wilkinson! Well, she'll
acquire an ingenious and enterprising husband, at any rate. And what
does John M. say?"

"Not a great deal--he's quite laconic, as usual. But what little he
says is very much to the point. He says he had supposed a daughter of
his would have more sense. However, since she hasn't, he can merely
state that he withholds his consent to the match. Isabel's of age, and
if she chooses to marry Charlie she can do so, but without approval or
assistance from her father."

"Meaning," said Smith, "an unpleasant codicil in the paternal last will
and testament, providing that instead of a previous bequest, his
beloved daughter be paid two hundred dollars a month as long as she
lives. What does Wilkinson say to Mr. Hurd's attitude? One might
gather that it would make a certain difference with him, for, although
Miss Hurd is certainly very attractive, I somehow gained the general
impression that your friend Charlie had a very clear eye on the main
chance."