in considerately.

"Mr. Colfax of the United Magazines Corporation came to me not long ago
and wanted to know if I would not come with him. He offers me eighteen
thousand dollars a year as advertising manager to begin with, and a
chance to take charge of all the art and editorial ends as well a
little later at twenty-five thousand dollars. He calls it the
managing-publishing end of the business. I've been thinking of it
seriously, for I've handled the art and advertising ends here and at the
Summerfield Company, and I have always imagined that I knew something of
the book and magazine business. I know it's a rather large proposition,
but I'm not at all sure that I couldn't handle it.".

Mr. Kalvin listened quietly. He saw what Colfax's scheme was and liked
it as a proposition. It was a good idea, but needed an exceptional man
for the position. Was Eugene the man? He wasn't sure of that, and yet
perchance he might be. Colfax, he thought, was a man of excellent
financial if not publishing judgment. He might, if he could get the
proper person, make an excellent success of his business. Eugene
interested him, perhaps more at first flash than he would later. This
man before him had a most promising appearance. He was clean, quick,
with an alert mind and eye. He could see how, because of Eugene's
success here, Colfax was thinking of him being even more exceptional
than he was. He was a good man, a fine man, under direction. Would
Colfax have the patience, the interest, the sympathy, to work with and
understand him?

"Now, let's think about that a little, Witla," he said quietly. "It's a
flattering offer. You'd be foolish if you didn't give it careful
consideration. Do you know anything about the organization of that place
over there?"

"No," replied Eugene, "nothing except what I learned by casually going
over it with Mr. Colfax."

"Do you know much about Colfax as a man?"

"Very little. I've only met him twice. He's forceful, dramatic, a man
with lots of ideas. I understand he's very rich, three or four millions,
someone told me."

Kalvin's hand moved indifferently. "Do you like him?"

"Well, I can't say yet absolutely whether I do or don't. He interests me
a lot. He's wonderfully dynamic. I'm sure I'm favorably impressed with
him."

"And he wants to give you charge eventually of all the magazines and
books, the publishing end?"

"So he says," said Eugene.

"I'd go a little slow if I were saddling myself with