for them," the banker repeated ironically.
"But it's life."

After this profound reflection they paddled idly for a few moments, and
then the trust officer resumed, nearer to his theme.

"So you see, Miss Clark, you're likely to be a pretty rich woman when
you come of age. The old leases on the estate are running out, and as
fast as they can the managers of the Clark's Field Associates sell at a
good price or make a long lease at a high figure and everything helps to
swell the estate, which we are investing safely for you in good stocks
and bonds that are sure to increase in value before you will want to
sell them."

"How much money is there?" Adelle demanded unexpectedly. This was her
opportunity to discover the size of her magic lamp.

"I couldn't say off hand," the banker replied cautiously. "But enough to
keep you from want, if you don't spend too much making jewelry." He
added facetiously,--"You don't feel cramped for money, do you?"

"No-o," the girl admitted dubiously. "But you can't always tell what you
may want."

"If you don't want much more than you do at present, you're safe," Mr.
Crane stated guardedly. "That is, if nothing goes wrong--a panic, and
that sort of thing."

After a pause he said,--

"But you should have some one look after your property, invest it for
you--a woman can't do that very well."

"The bank does it, don't it?"

"I mean after you are of age and have control of your own property."

"Oh," the girl murmured vaguely, running her hand through the ripples of
river water. "That's a good ways off!... I suppose I shall be married by
that time, and _he_ will look after it for me."

She said this in a thoroughly matter-of-fact voice, but the banker
almost jumped from his seat at the words.

"You aren't thinking of getting married yet!" he exclaimed hastily.

"I suppose I shall some day," she replied.

"Of course you'll marry sometime," he said with relief; and ran on
glibly,--"That is the natural thing. Every girl should get married
early. But you must take good care, my dear girl, not to make a mistake.
You might be very unhappy, you know. He might not treat you right." And
with a sense of climax he exclaimed,--"He might lose all your
money--ruin you!"

"Yes, he might," Adelle agreed with composure. "They do that sometimes."

She looked at him from her open gray eyes undisturbed by the prospect,
as if, womanlike, she was aware of this unpleasant fate in danger of
which she