ude, unnatural for a child, was quite explicable as that of a
tortured sweetheart. Cowperwood had told her that he thought Butler was
using his influence to withhold a pardon for him, even though one were
granted to Stener, whose life in prison he had been following with
considerable interest; and this had enraged her beyond measure. She lost
no chance of being practically insulting to her father, ignoring him on
every occasion, refusing as often as possible to eat at the same table,
and when she did, sitting next her mother in the place of Norah, with
whom she managed to exchange. She refused to sing or play any more
when he was present, and persistently ignored the large number of young
political aspirants who came to the house, and whose presence in a way
had been encouraged for her benefit. Old Butler realized, of course,
what it was all about. He said nothing. He could not placate her.

Her mother and brothers did not understand it at all at first. (Mrs.
Butler never understood.) But not long after Cowperwood's incarceration
Callum and Owen became aware of what the trouble was. Once, when Owen
was coming away from a reception at one of the houses where his growing
financial importance made him welcome, he heard one of two men whom he
knew casually, say to the other, as they stood at the door adjusting
their coats, "You saw where this fellow Cowperwood got four years,
didn't you?"

"Yes," replied the other. "A clever devil that--wasn't he? I knew that
girl he was in with, too--you know who I mean. Miss Butler--wasn't that
her name?"

Owen was not sure that he had heard right. He did not get the connection
until the other guest, opening the door and stepping out, remarked:
"Well, old Butler got even, apparently. They say he sent him up."

Owen's brow clouded. A hard, contentious look came into his eyes. He had
much of his father's force. What in the devil were they talking about?
What Miss Butler did they have in mind? Could this be Aileen or Norah,
and how could Cowperwood come to be in with either of them? It could
not possibly be Norah, he reflected; she was very much infatuated with a
young man whom he knew, and was going to marry him. Aileen had been
most friendly with the Cowperwoods, and had often spoken well of the
financier. Could it be she? He could not believe it. He thought once of
overtaking the two acquaintances and demanding to know what they meant,
but when he came out on the step they were already