eep your paper alive. But, say the word,
and--"

"And your money, as well as your business ideals, will be ours?" she
concluded for him.

He smiled and nodded.

"Mr. Ames," she said, "you have no ideals. No man who amasses millions
by taking advantage of the world's inhuman and pernicious social
system can have ideals worthy of the name. To apply your methods, your
thought, to the Express would result in sinking its moral tone into
the dust. As for your money--"

"Commit suicide, then!" cried the man, yielding to his rising anger.
"Let the Express go down, carrying you and your spineless associates
with it! But, remember, you will be the sole cause of its ruin, and
theirs!"

Carmen rose quietly and opened the office door. "Your half hour is up,
Mr. Ames," she said, glancing at the little clock on her desk; "and I
must return to my work."

For a moment the huge man stood looking down darkling upon the girl.
He would have given his soul if he could have clasped that slender
form in his arms! A sudden impulse assailed him, and bade him fall
upon his knees before her, and ask her forgiveness and guidance. She
stood waiting--perhaps just for that, and always with that same smile
into which no one had ever yet read aught but limitless love.

The telephone bell rang sharply. Carmen hastened to answer the call.

"Oh, yes, Mr. Hitt. Yes--yes--the cotton schedule was reported out
quite changed--yes, an hour ago!"

When she looked up, she was alone.

* * * * *

"Dearie," said the Beaubien at evening, as Carmen seated herself in
that woman's lap and wound her arms about her neck, "I am afraid for
you."

"Well, mother dearest," replied the girl, giving her a tighter
squeeze, "that is a sheer waste of time. If you haven't anything more
to occupy you than fear, you'd better come down to the office, and
I'll set you to work."

"But--you have defied him--as he says, declared war--"

"No, dearest, not that. It is the carnal mind, using him as a channel,
that has declared war against good. But evil is not power; nor has it
been given power by God. My one thought is this: Am I doing that which
will result in the greatest good to the greatest number? Am I loving
my neighbor as myself? Serving as I would be served? Not as evil would
want to be served, but as good. If my mental attitude is right, then
God's law becomes operative in all that I do, and I am protected.
Don't you see?"