s with sordid satisfaction. Men in
battle were not given to uneasy qualms of compunction, nor questionings
as to the method that had led to victory. His life had been one
long-drawn-out battle; the financial soldiers that had fallen by the
wayside because of his sword play did not interest him; they were
dead; being dead, their memory harrassed him not at all. If there were
commercial blood stains upon his hand, they were hidden by the glove
of success. After a manner he had had peace; now all was disquiet; the
turmoil of an awakened gentler feeling clashing with the polemics of
self-satisfying selfishness. And all because of a girl! To him that was
the peculiar feature of the disturbance in his nature. He, Philip
Crane, the strong man of strong men, to be shorn of his indifference to
everything but success by a girl unskilled in managing anything but a
horse.

"It's all very fine to argue it out with one's self," he thought, "but
I simply can't help it." He was astonished to find that he was pacing up
and down the floor of his apartment. Undoubtedly he was possessed of a
tremendous regard for the girl Allis. But why not put it from him; why
not conquer himself as he had always done? To let it master him meant
the giving up of things that were almost second nature. He could not
love the girl as a good woman should be loved, and--and--well, the gray
eyes that had their strength because of supreme honesty would surely
bring him disquietude. It would indeed be difficult to change his nature
much; his habits were almost like leopard's spots; they were grown into
the woof of his existence. Even if he won her it must be almost entirely
because of a superior diplomacy. Everything told him that his love was
not returned. It seemed almost impossible that it should be; there was
not more disparity in their years than in their two selves. "All very
fine again," he muttered, somewhat savagely; "I want her, I want her,
not because of anything but love. What she is, or what I am counts for
nothing; love is all compelling; my first master, I salute thee," this
in sarcastic sincerity.

In his strength he relied upon his power to bring forth an answering
love, at least regard, should he win Allis. Yes, it would surely come.
He had not even a young rival to combat. Yes, he would win, first Allis,
and afterward her love.

"I'm quite silly," he ejaculated; "but I can't help it. But I can go out
and get some fresh air, and I will."