lternate nights, and to children every day. There will be a
pool-room, card-room, and refreshment buffet; also a quiet little room
for women's social events, and an emergency hospital ward. I think we
should hire a trained nurse who would not be too dignified to cook and
serve meals when there's no business doing in the hospital. You know
how everyone gets hankering now and then for a meal from home,--not that
it's any better, but it's different. I suppose there are farmer's wives
who don't get a meal away from home once a year. I'm going to change all
that, if I have to turn cook myself!"

"Bully for you, Linder!" said Grant, clapping him on the shoulder. "I
believe you actually are enthusiastic for once."

"I understand my orders are to make the country give the city a run for
its money, and I'm going to do it, or break you. If all I've mentioned
won't do it I've another great scheme in storage."

"Good! What is it?"

"I am inventing a machine that will make a noise like a trolley-car and
a smell like a sewer. That will add the last touch in city refinements."

When the laugh over Linder's invention had subsided Murdoch broached
another.

"The office work is becoming pretty heavy, Mr. Grant, and I'm none too
confident in the help I have. Now if I could send for Miss Bruce--"

"What do you think you should pay her?"

"I should say she is worth a hundred dollars a month."

"Then she must be worth two hundred. Wire her to come and start her at
that figure."

CHAPTER XVIII

Promptly at six Linder drew his automobile up in front of the Transley
summer home with Grant and Murdoch on board. Wilson had been watching,
and rushed down upon them, but before he could clamber up on Grant
a great teddy-bear was thrust into his arms and sent him, wild with
delight, to his mother.

"Look, mother! Look what The-Man-on-the-Hill brought! See! He has fire
in his eyes!"

Transley and Y.D. met the guests at the gate. "How do, Grant? Glad to
see you, old man," said Transley, shaking his hand cordially. "The wife
has had so many good words for you I am almost jealous. What ho, Linder!
By all that's wonderful! You old prairie dog, why did you never look me
up? I was beginning to think the Boche had got you."

Grant introduced Murdoch, and Y.D. received them as cordially as had
Transley. "Glad to see you fellows back," he exclaimed. "I al'us said
the Western men 'ud put a crimp in the Kaiser, spite o' hell an' high
wate