d then watch out."

Mr. Sluss was pleased to see Mrs. Brandon. He had spoken to John
Bastienelli, the new commissioner of taxes, whose offices were directly
over the way on the same hall, and the latter, seeing that he might
want favors of the mayor later on, had volubly agreed to take care of
the lady.

"I am very glad to be able to give you this letter to Mr. Bastienelli,"
commented Mr. Sluss, as he rang for a stenographer, "not only for the
sake of my old friend Mr. Barry, but for your own as well. Do you know
Mr. Barry very well?" he asked, curiously.

"Only slightly," admitted Mrs. Brandon, feeling that Mr. Sluss would be
glad to know she was not very intimate with those who were recommending
her. "I was sent to him by a Mr. Amerman." (She named an entirely
fictitious personage.)

Mr. Sluss was relieved. As he handed her the note she once more
surveyed him with those grateful, persuasive, appealing eyes. They made
him almost dizzy, and set up a chemical perturbation in his blood which
quite dispelled his good resolutions in regard to the strange woman and
his need of being circumspect.

"You say you are living on the North Side?" he inquired, smiling
weakly, almost foolishly.

"Yes, I have taken such a nice little apartment over-looking Lincoln
Park. I didn't know whether I was going to be able to keep it up, but
now that I have this position-- You've been so very kind to me, Mr.
Sluss," she concluded, with the same I-need-to-be-cared-for air. "I
hope you won't forget me entirely. If I could be of any personal
service to you at any time--"

Mr. Sluss was rather beside himself at the thought that this charming
baggage of femininity, having come so close for the minute, was now
passing on and might disappear entirely. By a great effort of daring,
as they walked toward the door, he managed to say: "I shall have to
look into that little place of yours sometime and see how you are
getting along. I live up that way myself."

"Oh, do!" she exclaimed, warmly. "It would be so kind. I am
practically alone in the world. Perhaps you play cards. I know how to
make a most wonderful punch. I should like you to see how cozily I am
settled."

At this Mr. Sluss, now completely in tow of his principal weakness,
capitulated. "I will," he said, "I surely will. And that sooner than
you expect, perhaps. You must let me know how you are getting along."

He took her hand. She held his quite warmly. "Now I'll h