absorbed in Zola and peanut
brittle in the Winnebago library, was infinitely more appealing than
this glib and capable young woman. The spitting wildcat of the street
fight so long ago was gentler by far than this cool person who was so
deliberately taking his job away from Slosson. You, too, feel that way
about her? That is as it should be. It is the penalty they pay who,
given genius, sympathy, and understanding as their birthright, trade
them for the tawdry trinkets money brings.

Perhaps the last five minutes of that conference between Fanny and
Michael Fenger reveals a new side, and presents something of interest.
It was a harrowing and unexpected five minutes.

You may remember how Michael Fenger had a way of looking at one,
silently. It was an intent and concentrated gaze that had the effect of
an actual physical hold. Most people squirmed under it. Fanny, feeling
it on her now, frowned and rose to leave.

"Shall you want to talk these things over again? Of course I've only
outlined them, roughly. You gave me so little time."

Fenger, at his desk, did not answer, or turn away his gaze. A little
blaze of wrath flamed into Fanny's face.

"General manager or not," she said, very low-voiced, "I wish
you wouldn't sit and glower at me like that. It's rude, and it's
disconcerting," which was putting it forthrightly.

"I beg your pardon!" Fenger came swiftly around the desk, and over to
her. "I was thinking very hard. Miss Brandeis, will you dine with me
somewhere tonight? Then to-morrow night? But I want to talk to you."

"Here I am. Talk."

"But I want to talk to--you."

It was then that Fanny Brandeis saved an ugly situation. For she
laughed, a big, wholesome, outdoors sort of laugh. She was honestly
amused.

"My dear Mr. Fenger, you've been reading the murky magazines. Very bad
for you."

Fenger was unsmiling: "Why won't you dine with me?"

"Because it would be unconventional and foolish. I respect the
conventions. They're so sensible. And because it would be unfair to you,
and to Mrs. Fenger, and to me."

"Rot! It's you who have the murky magazine viewpoint, as you call it,
when you imply--"

"Now, look here, Mr. Fenger," Fanny interrupted, quietly. "Let's be
square with each other, even if we're not being square with ourselves.
You're the real power in this plant, because you've the brains. You
can make any person in this organization, or break them. That sounds
melodramatic, but it's true. I've