ame more stiff and ceremonious, Mr. Revelstoke's
usually crisp, good-humored suggestions grew more deliberate, and
Randolph found himself once or twice the subject of the president's
penetrating but smiling scrutiny. And the day before Miss Eversleigh's
arrival his natural excitement was a little heightened by a summons to
Mr. Revelstoke's private office.

As he entered, the president laid aside his pen and closed the door.

"I have never made it my business, Trent," he said, with good-humored
brusqueness, "to interfere in my employees' private affairs, unless they
affect their relations to the bank, and I haven't had the least occasion
to do so with you. Neither has Mr. Dingwall, although it is on HIS
behalf that I am now speaking." As Randolph listened with a contracted
brow, he went on with a grim smile: "But he is an Englishman, you know,
and has certain ideas of the importance of 'position,' particularly
among his own people. He wishes me, therefore, to warn you of what
HE calls the 'disparity' of your position and that of a young English
lady--Miss Eversleigh--with whom you have some acquaintance, and in
whom," he added with a still grimmer satisfaction, "he fears you are too
deeply interested."

Randolph blazed. "If Mr. Dingwall had asked ME, sir," he said hotly, "I
would have told him that I have never yet had to be reminded that Miss
Eversleigh is a rich heiress and I only a poor clerk, but as to his
using her name in such a connection, or dictating to me the manner of"--

"Hold hard," said Revelstoke, lifting his hand deprecatingly, yet with
his unchanged smile. "I don't agree with Mr. Dingwall, and I have every
reason to know the value of YOUR services, yet I admit something is due
to HIS prejudices. And in this matter, Trent, the Bank of Eureka, while
I am its president, doesn't take a back seat. I have concluded to make
you manager of the branch bank at Marysville, an independent position
with its salary and commissions. And if that doesn't suit Dingwall,
why," he added, rising from his desk with a short laugh, "he has a
bigger idea of the value of property than the bank has."

"One moment, sir, I implore you," burst out Randolph breathlessly, "if
your kind offer is based upon the mistaken belief that I have the least
claim upon Miss Eversleigh's consideration more than that of simple
friendship--if anybody has dared to give you the idea that I have
aspired by word or deed to more, or that the young lad