an hour or two. Please state what you have to say in few
words, or else I will see you next week."

"Mr. Arnault," began the clerk, in a metallic tone, "says that he is
compelled to call in the loan he recently made you."

"Oh, certainly, certainly! Have you the securities I gave him as
collateral?"

"No, sir, but I can get them," said the man.

"Do so, and I will give you my check. Thank Mr. Arnault for the
accommodation, and say I have thirty or forty thousand to spare should
he be hard pressed. Be quick."

The Wall Street men present looked at one another significantly, and
one of them remarked, "You are forehanded for these times, Muir."

"If this absurd lack of confidence would only pass," was the
careless reply, "I should have more money on hand than I could invest
profitably;" and then he appeared absorbed in other matters.

Arnault received the message from his clerk with something like
dismay, and turning on Mr. Wildmere, who was present, he said, almost
savagely, "You have been misleading me."

"Indeed I have not, sir--not intentionally. I can't understand it."

"Well, I can. Muir is an old fox in business. I was a fool to think
that a paltry thirty thousand would trouble him. Well, there is
nothing to do but to close the matter up."

"What, in regard to my daughter?" said Mr. Wildmere, inadvertently.

"Oh, no; confound it! What has she got to do with this affair?"
replied Arnault, with an irritation that he could not disguise. "I
certainly have made Miss Wildmere a fair offer; some would regard it
as more. I shall go up to-night and receive her answer, as I promised.
I am one who never fails in a promise to man or woman, and I am ready
to make good all that I have authorized you to say to your daughter,
and more."

"Let me add," said Mr. Wildmere, with some assumption of dignity,
"that as far as I have influence it is absolutely yours. I have ever
prided myself on my fidelity to those who trust me."

"Thanks," replied Arnault, with a little menacing coldness in his
tone. "I hope I shall have proof of the fact this evening. If so, all
shall go swimmingly."

Poor Wildmere bowed himself out with trepidation at heart, and Arnault
followed him with a dark look, muttering, "Let them both beware."

Mr. Muir met Madge at the depot, and was quietly jubilant. Both
laughed heartily over the experiences of the day.

"You are a blessed little woman, Madge. I was never so off my balance
before in my li