f Ibsen's ghosts."

"It's so good to hear you say that. And do you think I may begin to be
happy again?"

"I think it would be allowable to start with one smile a day, say, and
gradually increase the dose," he jested. "In the course of a week, if
it seems to agree with you, try a laugh."

She made the experiment without waiting the week, amused at his
whimsical way of putting it. Nevertheless, the sound of her own
laughter gave her a little shock.

"You came on business, I suppose?" she said presently.

"Yes. I came to raise a million dollars for some improvements I want to
make."

"Let me lend it to you," she proposed eagerly.

"That would be a good one. I'm going to use it to fight the
Consolidated. Since you are now its chief stockholder you would be
letting me have money with which to fight you."

"I shouldn't care about that. I hope you beat me."

"You're my enemy now. That's not the way to talk." His eyes twinkled
merrily.

"Am I your enemy? Let's be friendly enemies, then. And there's
something I want to talk to you about. Before he died Mr. Harley told
me he had made you an offer. I didn't understand the details, but you
were to be in charge of all the copper-mines in the country. Wasn't
that it?"

"Something of that sort. I declined the proposition."

"I want you to take it now and manage everything for me. I don't know
Mr. Harley's associates, but I can trust you. You can arrange it any
way you like, but I want to feel that you have the responsibility."

He saw again that vision of power--all the copper interests of the
country pooled, with himself at the head of the combination. He knew it
would not be so easy to arrange as she thought, for, though she had
inherited Harley's wealth, she had not taken over his prestige and
force. There would be other candidates for leadership. But if he
managed her campaign Aline's great wealth must turn the scale in their
favor.

"You must think this over again. You must talk it over with your
advisers before we come to a decision," he said gravely.

"I've told Mr. Jarmyn. He says the idea is utterly impossible. But
we'll show him, won't we? It's my money and my stock, not his. I don't
see why he should dictate. He's always 'My dear ladying' me. I won't
have it," she pouted.

The fighting gleam was in Ridgway's eyes now. "So Mr. Jannyn thinks it
is impossible, does he?"

"That's what he said. He thinks you wouldn't do at all."

"If you really mean it