onsequence of Mr. Galbraith's kindness, but the
retention of the position would rest on his personal worth and hard
work, a very satisfactory condition to one who demanded that he remain
captain of his soul. Hence he had deliberately trained for the post
and it was understood that the following October he would assume it.
It was a flattering beginning for a novice, the salary guaranteed being
generous and the chances for advancement alluring. Nor did the great
man who had founded the business conceal from the ambitious neophyte
that later he might be called upon to fill the niche left vacant by
Roger's flight into professional life.

Such was the nicety with which Robert Morton had been dovetailed into
the Galbraith plans, his welcome in every direction assured him. And
now here he stood confronted by the probable overthrow of the whole
delicately balanced structure. If he did not marry Cynthia and
selected instead another bride, he risked forfeiting the regard of
those who had become dear to him, imperilling his friendship with
Roger, and sacrificing the brilliant and gratifying future for which he
had so patiently labored. Never again, he knew beyond a question,
would such an opportunity come within his grasp. He would be obliged
to start out unheralded and painfully fight his way to recognition.
That recognition would be his he did not doubt, for he never yet had
failed in that to which he had set his hand. But, alas, the weary
years before he would be able to make a hurrying universe sense that he
was alive! He knew what struggle meant when stripped of its illusions,
for had he not toiled for his education in the sweat of his brow? The
triumph of the achievement had been sweet, but for the moment the
courage to resume the weary, up-hill plodding deserted him. Why, it
would be years before he could marry a girl who was accustomed to even
as few luxuries as was Delight Hathaway!

And suppose a miracle happened and Mr. Galbraith was large-minded
enough still to hold out to him the former offer? Should he wish to
accept it? Would it not be almost charity? No, if he refused
Cynthia's hand--and that was what, in bald terms, it would amount
to--he must decline the other favor as well and be independent of the
Galbraiths for good and all. Otherwise his position would be
unendurable. It was an odious situation, the one in which he found
himself. Only a cad cast a woman's heart back at her feet. The
unchiva