atisfied with himself and
the entire world.

"Who are you?" the woman again demanded. "How dare you come uninvited
into my room?"

The man straightened, himself up, and standing with his back to the
fire brought forth a package of cigarettes, selected one, and
deliberately lighted it.

"You don't mind if I have a smoke, do you?" he asked. "It's good for
the nerves."

"Indeed I do," the woman replied. "I hate smoking. I never allow it
in this room."

"I'm sorry, madame, but you'll soon forget all about it. I have come
to see you to-night on very important business, and when I tell you
what it is you won't think any more about the smoke."

"Important business! With me? Why, I never saw you before, and I have
not the slightest idea who you are. What do you want, anyway?"

"Yes, it's important business, as I have just said, and when I learned
that you would see no one to-night I was compelled to force myself upon
your presence."

"How did you know that I would see no one to-night? Were you listening
at the door?"

"Madame, when you get to know me better you will learn that I am able
to read people's thoughts, though doors may intervene. Words are
unnecessary to me. I know all."

The man blew a cloud of smoke into the air, and smiled. "Yes," he
continued, "I even read your thoughts to-night as you sat before this
fire."

"You did!" The woman's eyes grew wide with fear and amazement. "Who
are you, anyway?"

"I am merely a stand-between; that has been my business for years."

"A stand-between?"

"Yes, I stand between people and ignorance. I supply them with mental
food, books of the first-water. They all know me, and look upon me as
a public benefactor."

"So you are a book-agent, then? And you want to sell me some books, I
suppose? Is that your business here to-night?"

The man waved his hand haughtily, and flicked the ashes from his
cigarette into the fire.

"No, madame, it is not. Business is somewhat dull these days, I must
confess. People are not as anxious as formerly for pure literature.
There are too many counter attractions. This being so, I find it is
becoming more difficult to stand between my family and poverty.
Therefore, I am here to-night."

"So you want me to give you some money; is that it?"

"Ah, now I see you understand," and the man's face beamed. "But
remember, I come not as a beggar, neither as a suppliant, but merely to
receive payment for a favor."

"Pa