uccesses, too, of
the first importance. She had secured the assistance of Ames himself
in matters pertaining to her finances; and the Beaubien was
actively cooeperating with her in the social advancement of Carmen.
It is true, she gasped whenever her thought wandered to her notes
which the Beaubien held, notes which demanded every penny of her
principal as collateral. And she often meditated very soberly over
the large sums which she had put into the purchase of Simiti stock,
at the whispered suggestions of Ames, and under the irresistibly
pious and persuasive eloquence of Philip O. Ketchim, now president
of that flourishing but as yet non-productive company. But then, one
day, an idea occurred to her, and she forthwith summoned Carmen into
the library.

"You see, my dear," she said, after expounding to the girl certain of
her thoughts anent the famous mine, "I do not want Mr. Ketchim to have
any claim upon you for the expense which he incurred on account of
your six months in the Elwin school. That thought, as well as others
relating to your complete protection, makes it seem advisable that you
transfer to me your share in the mine, or in the Simiti company. See,
I give you a receipt for the same, showing that you have done this as
part payment for the great expense to which I have been put in
introducing you to society and in providing for your wants here. It is
merely formal, of course. And it keeps your share still in our
family, of which you are and always will be a member; but yet removes
all liability from you. Of course, you know nothing about business
matters, and so you must trust me implicitly. Which I am sure you do,
in view of what I have done for you, don't you, dear?"

Of course Carmen did; and of course she unhesitatingly transferred her
claim on La Libertad to the worthy Mrs. Hawley-Crowles. Whereupon the
good woman tenderly kissed the innocent child, and clasped a string of
rich pearls about the slender, white neck. And Carmen later told the
Beaubien, who said nothing, but frowned darkly as she repeated the
tidings over her private wire to J. Wilton Ames. But that priest of
finance only chuckled and exclaimed: "Excellent, my dear! Couldn't be
better! By the way, I had a cable from Lafelle this morning, from
Cartagena. Oh, yes, everything's all right. Good-bye." But the
Beaubien hung up the receiver with a presentiment that everything was
far from right, despite his bland assurance. And she regretted