royalty rights, the book to be published entirely
at the publisher's risk and the plates to be the property of the
publishing house, no rights reserved for the author.

The eastern publisher acknowledged the frankness of the author's note,
which he said was unusual. Also the terms, which were not generally
considered, few manuscripts being purchased outright by the firm.
However, the book was more than favourably reported by two of the three
principal readers and by the senior member of the house, and they were
prepared to make an offer in the shape of the enclosed check which it
was hoped would be satisfactory to Mr. Douglas.

"Five hundred," said Esther, reading the amount as she held up the check
for Helen to see. "Why, isn't it worth more than that?"

"The way you people have been talking lately," said Paul, pretending
great indignation, "it wasn't worth five cents. I'm satisfied. At ten
per cent royalty they would have to sell five thousand copies and it
would be two or three years before I got the money. No, I prefer the
cash, and let them take the risk. Now we can help Bauer. That is, I can.
This is all my philanthropy. I'll send one hundred dollars to Masters
for the mission work and the balance for Bauer. Walter's estimate of
three hundred dollars a year is too small. It won't give the fellow the
things he needs. My! But won't it be fine to help him! There's nothing
like money, is there, Esther?"

"Just what I keep telling her," said Helen, her eyes sparkling and her
lips smiling at the sight of her mother's somewhat grave acceptance of
Paul's statement.

"I'm glad he is going to get the benefit of it," said Esther heartily.
"And I think we owe you an apology for the way we have treated your
little book. I feel proud to think my husband can write a five hundred
dollar book. I hope it will be one of the six best sellers."

"If it is, the publishers will make a lot," said Paul. "But I hardly
think it. Trashy fiction makes best sellers. My book is written to make
people think, not to lose their thoughts. So I've no false ambitions for
it."

As a matter of fact, in course of time Paul's volume sold between seven
and eight thousand copies and then the sale ceased. But the book had
good notices from several thoughtful reviewers and gave him considerable
advertising, encouraging him to go on with another volume on popular
government.

"Now the problem will be to get Bauer to take the money," said Esther.
"It