is cohesion and enterprise. Mr. Pederstone, we are going to see
that this is supplied here and now.

"These are the facts. There is our partnership proposition to you in
black and white. Read it over carefully and give us your decision
to-morrow afternoon."

John Royce Pederstone rose.

"Thank you, gentlemen! I shall do so. I would give you my answer now,
but I would like to go over the whole matter with my daughter Eileen.
Had I consulted her more often in the past, things would have been
better for me to-day."

And next day, John Royce Pederstone shook hands with his three new
partners, and sealed the compact. He had a brighter look in his eye, a
more erect head, and a laugh on his lips that Eileen heard from the
next room and thanked God for. She was standing at the front window,
as she had so often stood--as she and Phil had occasionally
done--looking out over the sun-kissed little town, with the ranges,
the ranches, the settlers' cottages; the gardens, the trees, the
lakes; the blue sky and the bright sunshine; all co-mingling in a
merry-go-round of fairy delight and harmony and peace.

As Jim Langford hastened below, Phil stole to Eileen's side. He did
not have to tell her, for she knew already.

They stood together, hand in hand, dreaming in happy contentment.

"My dear little, brave little lady," said he, as he drew her close;
"The big game is just ahead of us. And we are going to win."

"You have won," she answered. "The real victory is always in the
decision, Phil."

He stroked her breeze-blown curls, for the window was open and the
summer wind, warm and fresh, was coming in over the hills.

The sound of a voice, sweet and mirthful; and another, low, melodious,
and charming in its enunciation, came up from below, breaking in on
their conversation.

Phil looked over the window-sill, then, smilingly he beckoned to
Eileen.

They both leaned over.

Down there, on a summer-seat, in the arbour of trailing vines at the
end of the veranda, close together and evidently day-dreaming, were
Margery and Jim.

Phil was about to shout to them, but Eileen put her finger on his
lips.

Then once more came the musical, alluring, deep-toned, yet crooning
voice of Jim Langford;--great-hearted, apparently wayward and
devil-may-care, but at all times really serious--as he recited to the
lady by his side, in his own inimitable way:--

"And the night shall be filled with music
And t