on of him," he added.

"Yes," she said, "I can imagine that you did. He can be very agreeable,
and he is really a man of a great deal of character when he is himself.
He has been goodness itself to me, and has managed my affairs for years.
Even to-day his judgment in business matters is wonderfully sound. If
it had not been for him," she continued, "I don't know but I should have
been a pauper. My father left a large estate, but he died very suddenly,
and his affairs were very much spread out and involved and had to be
carried along. Julius put himself into the breach, and not only saved
our fortunes, but has considerably increased them. Of course, Alice is
his wife, but I feel very grateful to him on my own account. I did not
altogether appreciate it at the time, but now I shudder to think that I
might have had either to 'fend for myself' or be dependent."

"I don't think that dependence would have suited your book," was John's
comment as he took in the lines of her clear-cut face.

"No," she replied, "and I thank heaven that I have not had to endure it.
I am not," she added, "so impressed with what money procures for people
as what it saves them from."

"Yes," said John, "I think your distinction is just. To possess it is to
be free from some of the most disagreeable apprehensions certainly, but
I confess, whether to my credit or my shame I don't know, I have never
thought much about it. I certainly am not rich positively, and I haven't
the faintest notion whether I may or not be prospectively. I have always
had as much as I really needed, and perhaps more, but I know absolutely
nothing about the future." They were leaning over the rail on the port
side.

"I should think," she said after a moment, looking at him thoughtfully,
"that it was, if you will not think me presuming, a matter about which
you might have some justifiable curiosity."

"Oh, not at all," he assured her, stepping to leeward and producing a
cigar. "I have had some stirrings of late. And please don't think me an
incorrigible idler. I spent nearly two years in a down-town office and
earned--well, say half my salary. In fact, my business instincts were so
strong that I left college after my second year for that purpose, but
seeing no special chance of advancement in the race for wealth, and as
my father seemed rather to welcome the idea, I broke off and went over
to Germany. I haven't been quite idle, though I should be puzzled, I
admit, to find a