sier--in his financial ventures. By degrees, and largely
because of his own confidence in himself, he had induced his father
to enter upon his street-car speculations, to use the resources of the
Third National to carry a part of his loans and to furnish capital at
such times as quick resources were necessary. In the beginning the old
gentleman had been a little nervous and skeptical, but as time had worn
on and nothing but profit eventuated, he grew bolder and more confident.

"Frank," he would say, looking up over his spectacles, "aren't you
afraid you're going a little too fast in these matters? You're carrying
a lot of loans these days."

"No more than I ever did, father, considering my resources. You can't
turn large deals without large loans. You know that as well as I do."

"Yes, I know, but--now that Green and Coates--aren't you going pretty
strong there?"

"Not at all. I know the inside conditions there. The stock is bound to
go up eventually. I'll bull it up. I'll combine it with my other lines,
if necessary."

Cowperwood stared at his boy. Never was there such a defiant, daring
manipulator.

"You needn't worry about me, father. If you are going to do that, call
my loans. Other banks will loan on my stocks. I'd like to see your bank
have the interest."

So Cowperwood, Sr., was convinced. There was no gainsaying this
argument. His bank was loaning Frank heavily, but not more so than any
other. And as for the great blocks of stocks he was carrying in his
son's companies, he was to be told when to get out should that prove
necessary. Frank's brothers were being aided in the same way to
make money on the side, and their interests were also now bound up
indissolubly with his own.

With his growing financial opportunities, however, Cowperwood had also
grown very liberal in what might be termed his standard of living.
Certain young art dealers in Philadelphia, learning of his artistic
inclinations and his growing wealth, had followed him up with
suggestions as to furniture, tapestries, rugs, objects of art,
and paintings--at first the American and later the foreign masters
exclusively. His own and his father's house had not been furnished fully
in these matters, and there was that other house in North Tenth Street,
which he desired to make beautiful. Aileen had always objected to the
condition of her own home. Love of distinguished surroundings was a
basic longing with her, though she had not the gift of in