dary-line of small
talk for a while, Jack feeling that he was being measured and gauged at
every possible indication of the real man, but his honesty of purpose
kept him steadfast.

Presently Maverick plunged into the business part, much to Darcy's
satisfaction.

"I wrote to my lawyer, Mr. Hildreth, about it," Miss McLeod replied. "He
has seen the parties holding the mortgage; and, on account of business
embarrassments, they are extremely anxious to realize upon it. Mr. Minor
is naturally desirous of having it sold at an advantage; but he is on
the bond, and has been making continuous efforts with no success. No one
can tell how low property will sink, business property especially, that
depreciates so rapidly if neglected. The mortgage is considered
one-third of what the property was valued at seven years ago; but we
have all shrunk a trifle since that," with a shrug, and a curious little
bend of the head, as if the decapitation was not altogether a pleasant
process. "This is the 4th of August, and on the 19th it is advertised
for sale. There may be one chance in a thousand of a better purchaser;
though Mr. Hildreth thinks no one but a lunatic, or a woman, would put
money in such an adventure," her lips curving in their bitter-sweet
smile. Indeed, there was nothing she was so much like as a cluster of
bright bitter-sweet berries, on a sharp but sunshiny autumn day, with
the leaves and tendrils brown and faded, but the brilliant life and soul
still shining from the ripe centre. She impressed you with the same
defiant glow of exultation.

"I have money lying idle, it is true," she continued; "but I want to
hear your plans before I decide, Mr. Darcy. Philip," nodding to her
nephew, "has interested me in this scheme; but I must know what it
promises before I take the risk."

Jack was confused a little by the bright, penetrating glance; and he had
not quite overcome his boyish trick of blushing. Often as he had gone
over the plan with Howell, Fawcett, and other political economists at
his tongue's end, all his troupe of fine ideas seemed to desert him. He
laughed at his own embarrassment: she smiled and nodded, and that made
them friends.

"I don't know that I can put it any better," he began earnestly, "than
to say that I want to take up the lever of work, and put the wheels of
labor in motion, to bring the starving workmen and the halting capital
together again. It is all very well for us to rush every dollar into
g