MISTER BILL 
 
 "A Man"
 
 f-rtm JONES 
 BOOKSTCflL 
 
 4*Jf LE
 
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 MISTER BILL
 
 MISTER BILL 
 
 "A MAN" 
 
 BY 
 
 ALBERT E. LYONS 
 
 BOSTON 
 RICHARD G. BADGER, PUBLISHER 
 
 THE GORHAM PRESS 
 1905
 
 Copyright 1905 by A. E. LYONS 
 All Rights Reserved 
 
 Printed at The Gorham Press, Boston, U. S. A.
 
 Some men are strong gentle in their strength ; quick 
 to forgive slow to condemn ; giving but asking nothing 
 in return doing because it is for them to do. The world 
 is better that they have lived. To the memory of such a 
 man, whose companionship was, and ever will be, a 
 strength and inspiration, this book is dedicated. 
 
 2136711
 
 CONTENTS 
 
 CHAPTER PAGE 
 
 I The "Old Man" 9 
 
 II The Man 18 
 
 III The Great Man's Daughter .... 29 
 
 IV The Master Hand 37 
 
 V "Daddie" 47 
 
 VI Ling's "S'plise" 56 
 
 VII The Test of the Metal 62 
 
 VIII No Flaw 69 
 
 IX Woman's Intuition 77 
 
 X When Men are Tempted .... 83 
 
 XI Those Who Watch and Wait ... 95 
 
 XII A Yellow Streak? ...... 100 
 
 XIII The Woman 106 
 
 XIV As Men are Made 1 12 
 
 XV Do I Intrude? 119 
 
 XVI A Man Who Dared 126 
 
 XVII Love, Indeed! 137 
 
 XVIII A Friend in Need and Deed .... 147 
 
 XIX Man Must Conquer 157 
 
 XX Woman Must Choose 168 
 
 XXI Man's Regeneration 179 
 
 XXII "Only a Man!" 190 
 
 XXIII Orders 206 
 
 XXIV A "Real and Truly" Story .... 215
 
 8 
 
 CHAPTER 
 
 XXV 
 
 XXVI 
 
 XXVII 
 
 XXVIII 
 
 XXIX 
 
 XXX 
 
 XXXI 
 
 XXXII 
 
 CONTENTS 
 
 PAGE 
 
 The Hold-Up Party 228 
 
 Woman's Diplomacy 242 
 
 "The Tongue is But a Foolish Jester" . 250 
 
 Men of Iron Nerve 256 
 
 "Who the Devil Are You?" ... 274 
 
 Man to Man 288 
 
 "You Love Me?" 298 
 
 The Law that Rules the Universe . . 310
 
 MISTER BILL 
 
 CHAPTER I 
 THE "OLD MAN" 
 
 THE Old Man's comin'," laconically remarked 
 Hank Kilburne, sheriff and all around fighting 
 man, as he strode briskly into the Good Luck 
 Saloon and joined the row of rough fellows 
 leaning against the bar. "His car was hitched on to 
 number six at Albuquerque early this evenin' he'll be 
 here in the mornin'," he added, in reply to the several 
 interrogatories called forth by his remark. 
 
 "It's about time he took a look in; but I reckon he 
 don't know jest what he's buttin' into," growled Ed 
 Belden, one of his deputies. 
 
 "Things were getting a little too warm for the crowd 
 to handle and they sent out a hurry-up call. The Old 
 Man's keepin' the wires hot " 
 
 "And pullin' a few, you can bet," gruffly interrupted 
 another of the crowd. 
 
 "Like enough, and I 'low he has reason to. He's got 
 a mighty big fight on his hands, if I'm any judge of 
 first-class fightin' material," said Hank, with an expres- 
 sive shake of the head. 
 
 "His crowd have been whipped to a standstill, and
 
 io MISTER BILL 
 
 they're jest findin' it out. Maybe the Old Man can tell 
 'em how it happened," Ed sarcastically observed, giving 
 additional emphasis to his remark by an extra tilt of the 
 bottle from which he was filling his glass. 
 
 "I reckon the law don't cut much figure in this 'ere 
 fight; the Old Man will win if he 'as to bust the Con- 
 stitution," declared another of the deputies, as he in turn 
 helped himself to a liberal allowance of "Old Club Foot." 
 
 "If he's lookin' for fight he'll find it there'll be hell 
 to pay 'round here afore long. Well, boys, here goes!" 
 said Hank, setting the example, and each man tossed off 
 his glass of "licker" with one short, quick gulp, and fell 
 to discussing the situation with renewed energy. 
 
 The conflict of capital versus labor was on in deadly 
 earnest in the mountain mining district of Arapahoe, 
 New Mexico. The center of the strife revolved about 
 the little town of Gold Dust, which seemed in imminent 
 danger of being wiped out of existence when the storm 
 broke in all its fury. The Gold Coin, Good News, Yel- 
 low Metal and Boodle Mines, their smelters and reduc- 
 tion works, owned by the Eastern Syndicate, a corpora- 
 tion chartered under the laws of the State of New Jersey, 
 had declared a lockout in answer to a demand on the part 
 of their men for an eight-hour agreement, and the regula- 
 tion of certain abuses which they maintained were con- 
 trary to law and the well being of the men. As rapidly as 
 possible new men had been brought into the district to 
 take the places of the locked-out workers. From a few 
 deputies to guard the newcomers the force had been rap- 
 idly increased, which only tended to make the men more 
 angry and aggressive as they saw their places being 
 taken by the strike-breakers. Clashes between the two
 
 THE "OLD MAN" 11 
 
 forces were of every-day occurrence, and only cool heads 
 had prevented a general outbreak. Recognizing that the 
 situation had gone beyond control, and was each hour 
 becoming more desperate, the mine owners had made an 
 urgent appeal to the federal powers for assistance to 
 preserve order in the district. Several companies of 
 regulars had been immediately despatched to the scene. 
 Instead of being awed by this display of force the dis- 
 gruntled miners immediately set about making prepara- 
 tions to meet force with force. This motley army of 
 laborers composed of the underground men, engineers, 
 firemen, smelters, refiners, timbermen, blacksmiths, sharp- 
 eners, teamsters and helpers, to the number of two 
 thousand strong, were armed and all more or less ex- 
 perienced in the use of their weapons. On the little 
 knoll overlooking the town a portion of the military force 
 was encamped, while over on the mountain side, to the 
 left of the town in the immediate vicinity of the mines, 
 the remainder of the force had pitched its tents. The 
 soldiers were stern and silent; they were ready for duty 
 when they should be called upon. 
 
 Over to the right of the town clouds of smoke belch- 
 ing from the stacks of a mammoth plant contrasted 
 strangely with the desultory puffs which seemed to creep 
 up almost apologetically from the stacks of the unfair 
 mines. Repeated attempts had been made to draw The 
 Consolidated Properties into the strife by the managers 
 of the rival companies, but without success. The owners 
 of these properties had steadfastly refused to take up a 
 fight in which they were not interested, and with which 
 they had no sympathy. Persuasions and threats having 
 failed to accomplish their purpose, a system of intimida-
 
 12 MISTER BILL 
 
 tion and violence had been put into operation against 
 it. Several attempts had been made to blow up certain 
 portions of the works, and various schemes of retaliation 
 had been frustrated by the vigilance of its owners. Every 
 avenue of approach to the Consolidated works was now 
 guarded by a force of armed men, beyond which none 
 but the most trusted employees were allowed to go. 
 A force of five hundred picked men could be called to 
 the defense of the works at a moment's notice. The 
 disruption of this company was the avowed purpose 
 of the powerful Syndicate as a penalty for refusing to 
 join forces with it in its efforts to break the power of 
 organized labor in the district. 
 
 Matters were fast approaching a crisis. The little 
 town was overrun with idle men. They stood about 
 singly and in groups or walked slowly up and down the 
 rough wooden sidewalks on either side of . the main 
 street. The saloons and gambling houses were deserted ; 
 the men were quiet and orderly but terribly in earnest. 
 To a close observer it was apparent that something was 
 holding them in check; they were waiting waiting with 
 a stolidness that was ominous. Circulating among the 
 men were the spies of the mine owners intent upon dis- 
 covering the leaders in order that they might be arrested 
 at the proper time. The task of these secret agents was 
 not an enviable one; the slightest indiscretion on their 
 part and their lives would pay the penalty it required 
 but a spark to fire the magazine. 
 
 Such was the state of affairs when the "Old Man," 
 accompanied by several of the officers and directors of 
 the Syndicate, appeared upon the scene. The train had 
 hardly come to a stop before the small station when
 
 THE "OLD MAN" 13 
 
 a little switch engine slid in behind the President's private 
 car, and dragged it out through the yards to the offices 
 of the company. Before its occupants had set foot on 
 the ground the news of its arrival was spreading over 
 the mountain side. Later it was known that the various 
 superintendents, managers, and local representatives of 
 the Syndicate were in consultation with the directors. 
 
 Time was a valuable asset with President Hillman. 
 Once a year, accompanied by his staff of clerks and sten- 
 ographers and such directors as were necessary to his 
 purpose, he made a personal inspection" of his vast prop- 
 erties, and looked over the field for prospective invest- 
 ments. For some time past the reports from the Arapa- 
 hoe district had been far from satisfactory. He was at 
 first annoyed ; as matters went from bad to worse he be- 
 came angry, which frame of mind had progressed 
 through varying degrees until it could only be regarded 
 as acute. 
 
 The appellation of "Old Man" was used by friends 
 and enemies alike, and was warranted not so much by his 
 years, which numbered perhaps fifty, as the reputation 
 he had made for himself in the financial and industrial 
 worlds as a leader of men. His physical proportions 
 were rather insignificant; but one had only to look into 
 his steel gray eyes, and note the deeply set lines of his 
 unnaturally pallid face whether in action or repose, to 
 know that he was essentially a man of intellect that 
 heart and conscience had long since been relegated 
 to the background. He possessed a nervous energy 
 which was a power in itself, and gave to his speech, 
 especially when angered, a sharpness that might be lik- 
 ened to the working of a steel trap, which in more ways
 
 14 MISTER BILL 
 
 than one was suggestive of the man. He knew no 
 will but his own, and to thwart it was to incur his un- 
 dying enmity. 
 
 "Who are the ringleaders of this crowd? Those are 
 the men we want first," he declared, regarding with 
 keen displeasure the several superintendents and man- 
 agers, after receiving their reports of the situation. 
 
 "It's pretty hard to say, sir; they're not doing much 
 talking they're playing a deeper game," said Jim Hedge, 
 superintendent of the Gold Coin Mine. 
 
 "Well, who is the chief offender we'll make an ex- 
 ample of him to begin with ; the moral effect will be 
 salutary at least," snapped the President. 
 
 "Consolidated Properties has made most of the trouble 
 for us, sir," said Jed Sharpley, manager of the Yellow 
 Metal Mine. "They're running three eight-hour shifts 
 and our men just naturally kick against doing ten-hour 
 stunts." 
 
 "To be sure. I foresaw the result of the methods of 
 our socialistic neighbors. We have fooled with them 
 long enough ; we must adopt more effective means of 
 bringing them to terms." 
 
 From the time the emissaries of the big Syndicate had 
 entered the district and inaugurated a system of spolia- 
 tion and plunder by wrecking and crippling one mine 
 after another until its helpless owners had been frozen 
 out, or were compelled to dispose of their property on 
 the terms of the oppressors, the trouble with the men 
 had steadily increased. Previous to that time the mine 
 owners and men had worked together in harmony, pay- 
 ing little heed to the happenings in the outside HNld,
 
 THE "OLD MAN" 15 
 
 each one satisfied to do his work and participate in the 
 legitimate profits thereof. 
 
 The opposition to The Consolidated Properties had 
 dated from the very beginning. Its owners had incurred 
 the displeasure of this band of raiders by steadily resist- 
 ing its attacks, and as it was generally conceded to be 
 the most valuable of all the mines this was an offence 
 not to be lightly condoned. The desire of the un- 
 scrupulous Syndicate to acquire the Properties on ac- 
 count of their value, gradually developed into a necessity 
 as a means of protection to itself. The efforts of the 
 elaborate wrecking system, flushed with success and un- 
 limited money power, had been concentrated against this 
 lone company. Suits of injunction, restraining orders, 
 boundary disputes, tunnelling and counter-tunnelling, 
 claims of stolen ores, clash of forces and recourse to 
 law, bribery and corruption of courts and officers had 
 followed fast and furiously. Each attack had been met 
 fairly and squarely, apparently no effort being made to 
 avoid the issue, and more than once a counter blow had 
 been delivered that had covered the attacking party 
 with consternation and confusion. Fraud and corruption 
 had been met by dragging the fight into the open where 
 fair play had been demanded by the public in no uncer- 
 tain voice. Such an opponent had never been encountered 
 before. 
 
 The system was in disgrace; it had utterly failed to 
 accomplish the work set for it; it had even called for 
 help. Excuses there were none to offer, for unlimited 
 money had been at its disposal, and all things could be 
 accomplished with money, according to its unwritten 
 code. 'Every member of the corrupt body keenly felt the
 
 16 MISTER BILL 
 
 displeasure of his chief, which had fallen upon the 
 heads of the few in no uncertain manner. Matters had 
 undeniably reached a serious stage the great man had 
 been compelled to take the field in person. 
 
 "This man Bill Mister Bill," he said, with cynical 
 emphasis, his glance of stern inquiry falling upon one 
 after another of the men before him, "is the man we 
 want?" 
 
 Several heads nodded acquiescence. "Land him and 
 there'll be nothing to it but driving the whelps back 
 into their holes," declared Jem Remsen, the local leader 
 of the system. Remsen spoke with the assurance of a 
 man who knew the strength of his opponent. 
 
 "That should not be a difficult matter. The district 
 has been declared to be in a state of insurrection. The 
 military is in control. Lives and property are in im- 
 minent danger. Riot may be precipitated at any moment. 
 Those responsible for this state of affairs must be ar- 
 rested. We will begin with the ringleader. We will 
 let the law deal with him, and the law deals severely 
 with such offenders. At least we can keep him out of 
 the way sufficiently long to break his power over this 
 crowd, and that will also serve to bring Consolidated 
 Properties to terms." 
 
 "That means a big rumpus. The whole crowd will 
 fight at the drop of the hat. Besides, he has five hundred 
 picked men behind him that will make dirty work for 
 the crowd that tries it on," said Remsen, very positively. 
 
 "Nonsense!" snapped the Chief, impatiently. "We 
 have men here whose business it is to fight; they will 
 make short work of him and his band of ruffians. Col- 
 onel Delefield," he said, turning abruptly to that officer,
 
 THE "OLD MAN" 17 
 
 "you will arrest this man without delay. I would suggest 
 that you make a considerable display of force in case 
 he and his fool followers are inclined to offer resistance. 
 However, that is your affair, it is the man we want. 
 We must have this Mister Bill at any cost."
 
 CHAPTER II 
 THE MAN 
 
 A SHADOW suddenly fell across the threshold; 
 a form appeared in the doorway. With one 
 swift glance the man seemed to take in every 
 detail of the situation. Slowly he removed 
 his hat, the while he coolly and steadily met the look 
 of inquiry of the man whose speech he had interrupted. 
 The men had never met before yet each instinctively knew 
 the other no formalities of introduction were neces- 
 sary. In that brief interval each man took the mental 
 and physical measure of the other. No word had 
 been spoken, yet every man in the room was conscious 
 that a new force had come into their midst a person- 
 ality in striking contrast to that of their leader and one 
 that must be reckoned with. 
 
 The man was apparently in the early thirties, full six 
 feet in height, his splendid physical proportions offering 
 mute evidence that nature and man had worked in har- 
 mony and wrought out a piece of handiwork that his 
 fellows might well envy. The tan and glow of health 
 and strength told no less plainly of winds and rains 
 beating upon those sturdy features no plant of the con- 
 servatory was this, but an oak seasoned in sunshine and 
 in tempest. Seriousness and good nature were depicted in 
 his face a face at once expressive of a mental develop- 
 
 18
 
 THE MAN 19 
 
 ment equal to the physical man. His rough brown cor- 
 duroy trousers descending into the tops of his laced 
 bootlets, his loose-fitting dark blue shirt and carelessly 
 knotted black tie all seemed in peculiar accord with the 
 simple bearing of the man. 
 
 "I am the man you seek, sir. My intrusion seems 
 most timely," he said, in a quiet well modulated voice 
 which seemed in striking contrast to the tensity of the 
 situation. 
 
 "Colonel Delefield, your duty has become somewhat 
 simplified there's your man," said Mr. Hillman, his 
 sharp nervous voice contrasting unpleasantly with the 
 other. 
 
 A slightly perceptible movement of the features which" 
 if a trifle more pronounced might have suggested a smile, 
 was the only apparent effect of this remark upon the 
 young man. 
 
 "For the present this is a matter between you and 
 me, sir. We can settle it peaceably, or we can fight," 
 he said, in the same quiet voice. 
 
 "I do not recognize you as representing any point at 
 issue between us. You and your immediate followers 
 will be arrested for the part you have taken in organiz- 
 ing the men into armed bodies, inciting riot, and in 
 various ways working in opposition to law and order. 
 You will be given ample opportunity to prove your in- 
 nocence in a court of law. In the meantime we have 
 nothing in common to discuss." 
 
 Again that slightly perceptible change of expression 
 as he coolly regarded the man who had threatened 
 him. 
 
 "We will waive formalities for the present," he said,
 
 20 MISTER BILL 
 
 voice and manner assuming added force and dignity. 
 "A greater issue is at stake than the matter of mere 
 individual authority. It is a question of life and death, 
 and you or I must be responsible. It is too great a 
 responsibility for me to assume, and I cannot believe 
 that you will knowingly take it upon yourself." 
 
 "Young man, when you play with the fire you must 
 abide the consequences. Leaders of revolutions are gen- 
 erally burned by the fires of their own making; history 
 will bear me out. You have incited these people to 
 rebellion, and you must take the consequences." 
 
 "For my own acts I will be responsible. It is for 
 your acts, and those of your unscrupulous hirelings that 
 I refuse to be responsible. How far you are directly 
 responsible, or how much you know of what has been 
 done in your name and with your money, I have no 
 means of knowing. I came here to tell you in order that 
 you may decide for yourself. The extent of the cause 
 is the measure of your responsibility, and you cannot 
 evade it before your conscience or your God even though 
 you whip the law around the stump and put me in your 
 stead." 
 
 The great man fumbled the mass of papers before 
 him ; several of the directors exchanged glances ; the 
 superintendents and hirelings shifted uneasily in their 
 chairs. A homely old truth had been thrust home which 
 each man recognized in spite of himself, and was ashamed 
 of his momentary weakness. 
 
 "As President of this company, I believe I am well 
 informed concerning its affairs. I also have consider- 
 able information concerning you, the methods of your 
 company, and your systematic efforts to injure our busi-
 
 THE MAN 21 
 
 ness; in short, information that will make very good 
 evidence at the proper time, which, if I mistake not, you 
 will have considerable difficulty in explaining." 
 
 "I know what your reports tell you. They tell you 
 that our men work shorter hours and receive more pay 
 than your men ; that we have taken away your best men 
 and that the others are dissatisfied and demand more 
 wages ; that we have refused to take up your fight against 
 the men notwithstanding your threats and intimidations; 
 that I am a socialist and disorganizer, a menace to the 
 best interests of the community, and that I must be got- 
 ten rid of at any cost." 
 
 "You are correct in your surmise, young man; they 
 tell me all that and even more," said the President, very 
 crisply. 
 
 "But perhaps they don't tell you that half your men 
 are raw recruits drawing the wages of skilled laborers ; 
 that mere children appear on your pay rolls as drawing 
 the wages of able-bodied men ; that these poor creatures 
 are forced to work long hours in hell holes that sap 
 their very life ; that hundreds are killed and injured and 
 whole families driven to want and even starvation sim- 
 ply because human beings are cheaper than the protection 
 that common decency should provide, to say nothing of 
 what the law demands ; that all your employees are 
 compelled to purchase their supplies from the stores in 
 which your agents are interested, and where they are 
 systematically robbed of their earnings ; that thousands 
 of dollars you have paid for bribery and corruption of 
 courts and individuals have gone into the pockets of 
 your trusted minions ; that your whole system is rotten 
 to the core, and the blood-sucking leeches you employ
 
 22 MISTER BILL 
 
 to do your dirty work have become poisoned from the 
 leprous body on which they feed. And the irony of 
 it all is that the poor devils are flayed by the very hands 
 they enrich." 
 
 The blow came straight from the shoulder and landed 
 on the weak spot of the body against which it was 
 directed. The representatives of that body rose as one 
 man in angry protest, but its head held them severely 
 in check. Perhaps here was an explanation of the fail- 
 ure of the system to accomplish its work. 
 
 "You do not deny creating dissensions among our 
 men by offers of higher wages and shorter hours, and 
 taking such men as suited your purpose ?" demanded Mr. 
 Hillman. 
 
 "The men came to us because they are paid and treated 
 like men. A large number of our men are stockholders 
 in the company ; it is the privilege of all. We are will- 
 ing to share a certain proportion of the profits as well 
 as the responsibility with the men. So far the result 
 has shown us the soundness of our reckoning." 
 
 "So far, yes, but your experiment is only well begun. 
 One of these days you will be stung by the serpent you 
 are unconsciously nurturing. In the meantime we are the 
 sufferers from your experiment. We are not realizing 
 any profits from our investment, and shall be compelled 
 to reduce rather than raise the wages of the men." 
 
 "Your company is steadily settling under the weight 
 of its watered stock. You unloaded this worthless stock 
 on the public at fabulous prices and pocketed the pro- 
 ceeds. Instead of the dividends you promised you are 
 compelled to maintain an expensive litigation and a 
 system of corruption that saps the very life of your
 
 THE MAN 23 
 
 company. To carry on this system of jugglery you dig- 
 nify by the name of finance, you would sacrifice every 
 man, woman and child you can lay hands on." 
 
 "This is rank nonsense ; you are a socialist of the 
 darkest dye," exclaimed the President, losing his patience. 
 "Such men as you are breeders of revolutions ; you un- 
 dermine the very foundation on which our government 
 rests ; you are traitors to the powers that build up and 
 support that government it is anarchy pure and simple." 
 
 "It is progress," declared the young man, with forc- 
 ible conviction ; "even though it frustrates the plans of 
 a few bogusly capitalized industries, still its name is 
 progress. Bribery and corruption and the despoilers of 
 rights and liberties are its natural enemies ever on the 
 defensive always on the run never fighting fair. Prog- 
 ress needs no defense I do not offer it." 
 
 "You and your kind delude yourselves with sophisms. 
 The substantial progress of the race has been accom- 
 plished by the workers ; the dreamers and the theorists 
 are the backbiters that trail along in the rear of this 
 great army of producers and doers they are never able 
 to overtake. You are but a mere handful of stragglers ; 
 you will be trampled under foot when you attempt to 
 stay the onward rush of this great army." 
 
 Slowly the young man turned and looked out of the 
 door out across the great stretch of rugged country 
 to where the earth and sky seemed to meet. Slowly 
 his eyes traversed the length of the mighty sweep of 
 mountain ranges ; from base to peak and into the blue 
 azure above they seemed to roam. Scarce a sound dis- 
 turbed the stillness of the room while outside a silence
 
 24 MISTER BILL 
 
 almost ominous seemed to have fallen over the land 
 nature and man were in strange accord. 
 
 "There's a mightier power than the will of man at 
 work," he said, with deep and abiding faith, his gaze 
 still directed towards the distant mountain tops. "The 
 power that placed those mountain ranges out there is 
 the power that works for progress man is but its play- 
 thing. History that same history you referred to is 
 the record of its wonderful power ; a record of progress 
 the emancipation of man. I am too small too feeble 
 to expend my life's best energies combating such a 
 power I am content to go with the current." 
 
 "Enough of this nonsense !" 
 
 "I will tell you who are the real anarchists and traitors 
 to our country," continued the young man, almost de- 
 fiantly. "It is the men of your stamp that corrupt the 
 best instincts of the youth of the nation; the men who 
 buy and sell human beings that they may debase and 
 debauch the very laws of which they loudly proclaim 
 themselves the guardians ; the men who are themselves 
 slaves to a system that is slowly but surely eating at 
 their vitals while they delude themselves that they are 
 its masters. The men " 
 
 "Colonel Delefield, arrest that man! I refuse to sub- 
 mit to further insult!" cried the President, fairly livid 
 with rage. 
 
 Every man was on his feet in an instant ; hands were 
 on guns and faces were hard set. Every eye was directed 
 towards the man against whom the command had been 
 directed ; a false move on his part and but the man 
 only smiled. With a smile even bland-like he looked into 
 the flashing eyes of the angry Chieftain.
 
 THE MAN 25 
 
 "Don't make any mistake," he said, with a confidence 
 not to be mistaken, "you are not in a position to order 
 my arrest. Your safety your life is in my keeping at 
 this moment." 
 
 "What do you mean?" demanded the other, surprised 
 into the query. 
 
 "I mean that your well being is so closely allied with 
 mine that the two are inseparable. You have said that 
 I have power over these men. I have to a certain ex- 
 tent. I have exercised that power for several days past 
 to prevent a clash between your small army of hired 
 fighting men whose outrageous work you have coun- 
 tenanced, and now seek to support by the military, and 
 the men you have forced into rebellion. There is a 
 limit to my power, however, and it is about reached." 
 
 "Well?" impatiently demanded the other. 
 
 "I came here to make a last appeal to you to give the 
 men a hearing; to investigate and see for yourself the 
 justice of their claims ; to give them fair play and reason- 
 able hours and the treatment a human being deserves. 
 I came to appeal to you as a man to consider the lives 
 of men " 
 
 "I fail to see how all this establishes any close re- 
 lations between us," impatiently interrupted the Presi- 
 dent. 
 
 "I will make it clear to you. Down in the town 
 and over among the hills are twenty-five hundred men 
 angry and defiant and spoiling for a fight. Opposed to 
 them are eight or nine hundred regulars, and a couple 
 of hundred of your fighting men against whom the men 
 have a special grievance. We are two hundred miles 
 from the nearest point from which assistance can be
 
 26 MISTER BILL 
 
 obtained; figure it out for yourself. If I fail to leave 
 this office within fifteen minutes, or give evidence that 
 I am free to do so, you will have to answer for it. You 
 are the man against whom their hatred is directed; you 
 are the man with whom they desire a reckoning. I 
 don't think I have laid undue stress upon the serious 
 nature of the situation." 
 
 "Whether you have or not is immaterial," said Mr. 
 Hillman, very shortly. "I do not intend to argue the 
 question, nor do I intend to give you the advantage 
 of precipitating a conflict for which you seem so well 
 prepared. I will give you until five o'clock this after- 
 noon to come to such understanding with your followers 
 as you deem advisable. You will then have the option 
 of placing yourself in charge of Colonel Delefield, or 
 compelling him to take you by force. The responsibility 
 of the conflict of armed forces, if such there be, will 
 therefore devolve upon you. This is my final word," 
 declared the President, as he turned away. 
 
 Again that change of features that barely perceptible 
 smile as the young man with a parting glance at the 
 great man turned and left the office. 
 
 "Colonel Delefield, you are thoroughly familiar with 
 the situation. I wish my ultimatum to that man carried 
 out to the letter," said Mr. Hillman, with irritating 
 sharpness. 
 
 "That, sir, I decline most emphatically to do," promptly 
 declared the old war horse. 
 
 "Do I understand that you refuse to do your duty 
 to arrest the man who has incited the rebellion?" de- 
 manded the President, regarding the other almost in- 
 credulously.
 
 THE MAN 27 
 
 "I do, most emphatically, in the light of my present 
 understanding of the situation," replied the Colonel, un- 
 hesitatingly. 
 
 "Is there any doubt in your mind as to his culpability? 
 Do you require any further proof? As for his bold talk 
 a mere bluff, not to be seriously considered. It is part 
 of the game he is playing. He is simply using these 
 poor fools to accomplish his own ends; but when he 
 finds that we are in sober earnest he will very quickly 
 come to terms. He is only a blustering boy carried 
 away by the little brief authority he exercises over these 
 men." 
 
 "He is a man if I ever saw one," boldly declared the 
 Colonel. "So far he has only been playing with you. 
 When you fired your heaviest guns he only smiled. 
 Show me a man that can smile in the face of danger, 
 and I'll show you a man every inch of him and a bad 
 man to fool with." 
 
 "You seem to possess a very great admiration for 
 this young man," said the President, looking at the other 
 searchingly. 
 
 "I know a man when I see one ; there are some men 
 I want to know I have a fight with before I start one." 
 
 "You leave me no alternative but to believe that your 
 very great respect for this particular man leads to an 
 evasion of your duty " 
 
 "Don't make any more mistakes," gruffly interposed 
 the old soldier. "I was sent down here to maintain 
 order, and I'll do it! But I don't take any orders from 
 you, or do any of your dirty work. I'm not on your pay 
 roll, and you don't own the United States Government,
 
 28 MISTER BILL 
 
 at least not all of it yet"; and the old fellow stamped 
 angrily out of the office leaving the disgruntled Chief 
 alone with his faithful followers.
 
 CHAPTER III 
 THE GREAT MAN'S DAUGHTER 
 
 CONSTANCE HILLMAN was the almost con- 
 stant companion of her father on his annual trips. 
 It was her season of rest and recuperation from 
 the demands of an exacting society, and as much 
 as she ever enjoyed anything she enjoyed these few 
 weeks of careless indolence. Her father left her very 
 much to her own devices as he had little time or thought 
 for anything but the matters of business which seemed 
 to occupy his every waking moment. She spent the 
 greater part of the time in her own private apartment, 
 reading, sleeping, or gazing idly out of the window. She 
 occasionally allowed herself to be entertained by some 
 of the business associates of her father, but for the most 
 part these men failed to interest her. 
 
 There were exceptions, however, and Mr. Charles 
 Francis Herringdon was proving rather a notable one. 
 Business, that ever present bugbear, which seemed ever 
 drawing men into its power and absorbing them body 
 and soul, had not yet worked its spell over this young 
 man. Mr. Herringdon was a young millionaire of a busi- 
 ness turn of mind, as he rather prided himself, who had 
 lately become associated with her father in several of 
 his enterprises, and was making his first trip of inspec- 
 tion of the properties in which he was interested. He 
 
 29
 
 30 MISTER BILL 
 
 was a follower rather than a worker a necessary part 
 of the machinery of the several companies in which he 
 was a director. He voted as pleased the head of the 
 company, and in this he was useful. 
 
 The urgency of the call and the haste to reach the 
 scene of disturbance was diverting and became mildly ex- 
 citing. The directors discussed the situation in all its 
 bearings, and speculated upon the best means of bringing 
 the men to terms. Their displeasure was most pro- 
 nounced against the man who appeared to be the leader 
 of the men. Had the man been as black as the reports 
 made him he was a dangerous character to be at large, 
 and the young woman doubted not that such was the 
 case. 
 
 She was alone in the car this morning. For some 
 reason her books seemed dull and uninteresting. She 
 tried one after another only to find each a little more 
 stupid than the other. Throwing them impatiently aside 
 she went out on the platform of the car, where she stood 
 for some time looking at the strange scene spread out 
 before her. The fresh mountain air inspired her with a 
 desire for exercise. She stepped down from the car 
 and looked about her, undecided which way to go. 
 
 "You ain't gwain away, Miss?" queried a startled 
 voice. 
 
 "Only for a short walk, Sam," she replied, rather im- 
 patiently. 
 
 "Better not go far, Miss. Mister Hillman give old Sam 
 fits sure enough !" he protested, to which the young 
 woman paid no heed. 
 
 She walked slowly up the rising ground from where 
 a better view of the valley could be obtained. She had
 
 THE GREAT MAN'S DAUGHTER 31 
 
 not proceeded far, however, before she came upon a well 
 beaten trail which wound around the hill to one side 
 of the town, and doubtless continued on to the mines 
 whose smoking stacks she could see in the distance. She 
 made her way along the path, occasionally stopping and 
 looking off across the valley or up at the towering moun- 
 tain peaks from some new point of vantage. Once she 
 sat down and watched for some time the strange move- 
 ments of a number of men down below. She continued 
 her walk apparently unconscious of the distance she had 
 gone, when a burly form suddenly loomed up in front 
 of her and barred her way. 
 
 "Sorry, Miss, but you can't go beyant," said the man 
 in strong Hibernian accents. 
 
 "And why not, pray?" she demanded, somewhat 
 startled. 
 
 "Orthers, Miss." 
 
 "Whose orders what orders?" she asked, mechanic- 
 ally. 
 
 "The boss, Miss not to lave the Divil himself (axin' 
 you pardon, Miss) go beyant me." 
 
 "Ah, yes, I understand," she said, somewhat relieved. 
 "My father's orders, no doubt; I am Miss Hillman. I 
 will go up in that little grove and rest a while before re- 
 turning." 
 
 "Sorry, Miss it's too bad you said a word divil a 
 word." 
 
 "What do you mean?" 
 
 "Sure, Miss, this be the enemy's camp; your name is 
 a pass-word I couldn't take for the life of me axin' your 
 pardon again, Miss." 
 
 "Indeed 1 And so the man who gave you the orders
 
 32 MISTER BILL 
 
 is Mister Bill the man who is opposing my father?" 
 
 "Yes, Miss Mister Bill, his own self. Sure he would 
 let you through " 
 
 "I have no desire to trespass. I shall return im- 
 mediately," and turning abruptly she started back, only 
 to find herself confronted by another man who came 
 swinging briskly along the trail. 
 
 "Pardon me you are returning to town? You will 
 hardly be able to pass that way," he told her. 
 
 "And why not, pray?" she demanded, regarding him 
 severely. "It is but a few moments since I came this 
 way." 
 
 "I dare say; but a force of men have just been sta- 
 tioned a short distance back with orders to allow no one 
 to pass." 
 
 "And was it all done for my especial benefit? Am I 
 such a very dangerous character that I must be so care- 
 fully guarded against. It is the doings of that unspeak- 
 able man, Mister Bill, I presume." 
 
 "Well, yes, I believe the men are acting under his 
 instructions, now that you mention it." 
 
 "What an intensely disagreeable man he must be!" 
 she exclaimed, in great disgust. "It seems as though I 
 had heard nothing the past two days but the mention 
 of his odious name, and now I am confronted by his 
 orders whichever way I turn." 
 
 "I regret your displeasure exceedingly 
 
 "Oh, I would like to meet him face to face! I would 
 at least tell him what I think of him and his outra- 
 geous " 
 
 She was interrupted by a strange exclamation, and 
 turning indignantly upon the offender could discern
 
 THE GREAT MAN'S DAUGHTER 33 
 
 only the inscrutable back of Jerry, the faithful sentinel, 
 who seemed to be deeply absorbed in a study of the dis- 
 tant mountain peaks. 
 
 "Nevertheless, I shall take my chances. Somebody 
 should be dealt with severely for this outrageous treat- 
 ment. Let me pass, sir." 
 
 "To insure you against further annoyance this man 
 will accompany you." 
 
 "I refuse to be placed under guard. I do not require, 
 nor shall I accept an escort. Oh, this is monstrous!" 
 
 "You will pardon my insistence ; you will not be able to 
 pass the guard the orders are imperative." 
 
 "What is the meaning of these strange doings ? Is the 
 country in a state of revolution ; or are we being invaded 
 by an armed foe? In any event I refuse to return to 
 town under guard. I shall remain right here for the 
 present." 
 
 "You will again pardon me," he said, gently but firmly, 
 "but it is imperative that you should return to town, and 
 at once. You should not have ventured so far away ; your 
 friends will be needlessly alarmed by your absence. Their 
 anxiety for your safety may seriously complicate mat- 
 ters. I must insist that you accept the escort of this 
 man." 
 
 "Oh!" she angrily exclaimed. "To be ordered about 
 and forbidden this and that, and finally given in charge 
 of a a desperado for aught I know he certainly looks 
 like one," she declared, bestowing a crushing glance on 
 poor Jerry. 
 
 "Our ways and our people are as rough and crude 
 as the country, but like the rich treasure in yonder 
 mountain side, you will find many an honest heart con-
 
 34 MISTER BILL 
 
 cealed by a rough exterior. You will suffer no embar- 
 rassment, Miss Hillman," he told her, very simply, as 
 Jerry, in obedience to a nod from him, proceeded to lead 
 the way down the trail. 
 
 He stood for a moment watching the young woman 
 and her escort, and was about turning away when every 
 sense became suddenly on the alert. Turning slowly 
 around apparently interested in something transpiring 
 down in the valley, but steadily watching one spot on the 
 ground to the left of him, his right hand was gradually 
 raised until it rested on the gun at his side. Suddenly 
 facing squarely about, and drawing his gun with the 
 same movement, he leveled it fair at a figure crouching 
 behind a rock but a short distance away. 
 
 "How the devil?" exclaimed the man, too surprised 
 for the moment to change his position. 
 
 "Coming events cast their shadows, Tenderfoot. Put 
 up that gun come down here," he ordered. 
 
 "I wasn't going to shoot," growled the other, putting 
 away his gun in obedience to the command, and sham- 
 bling out from his hiding place. 
 
 "What's your game?" he demanded, studying his man 
 closely as he came towards him. 
 
 "No game. You didn't think I was going to shoot 
 
 "I'll tell you, as you seem to have some scruples about 
 it yourself. You had not fully decided whether my life 
 or death would be more to your advantage." 
 
 "No use denying there are some that would like to 
 see you out of the way ; they wouldn't lose much sleep 
 if you happened to meet with an accident and " 
 
 "Accidents have a market value? How are they rated
 
 THE GREAT MAN'S DAUGHTER 35 
 
 to-day?" he demanded, regarding the culprit with some- 
 thing like piteous contempt. 
 
 "Look here, Mister Bill, I know you don't like me, 
 and I don't say but you've good enough cause for it, but 
 I can be of use to you. I know what the other side are 
 up to and " 
 
 "Such information also has a market value?" 
 
 "Why not? You could afford to pay well for it." 
 
 "You are an impossible element in the consideration, 
 Tenderfoot. We are fighting for right and justice for 
 our very manhood. You and your, kind are not eligible 
 to fight under that banner." 
 
 "You've made a good fight, and damn me, if I didn't 
 hate you I'd like to see you win. I've no love for the 
 crowd I'm with ; they pay me well that's all I ask. But 
 they'll beat you in the end; the Old Man will just wear 
 you out if he can't get you any other way." 
 
 "And you would advise me to make terms with the 
 Old Man, which incidentally, will benefit you in some 
 way, I presume?" 
 
 "I'm not saying it wouldn't; but that's neither here 
 nor there. The Old Man would jump at the chance to 
 buy you off. He would rather have you with him than 
 against him. He knows you're worth more to him than 
 the whole crowd he has around him. You could name 
 your own price and " 
 
 "Hand over Consolidated Properties and sell out my 
 friends. Truly, Tenderfoot, you are a master of vil- 
 lainy." 
 
 "You could satisfy the whole crowd, and your con- 
 science at the same time with the money you would get 
 out of it ; it will be better than losing it all as you
 
 36 MISTER BILL 
 
 surely will if you persist in fighting the Old Man. He 
 can give you everything a man has any use for ; wealth, 
 power, position even a wife. Just play your cards 
 right and you'll be a bigger man that the Old Man him- 
 self." 
 
 "Tenderfoot, I believe you pollute the very atmos- 
 phere," said the other, turning away in disgust. 
 
 "Don't be a fool!" exclaimed Tenderfoot, with angry 
 earnestness. "I'll tell you something now that perhaps 
 you don't know. Even if you beat the Old Man which 
 is supposing more than will ever happen you're not 
 out of the woods. The old crowd is still on your trail and 
 ready to take up the fight where the Old Man leaves off 
 one or the other is bound to get you." 
 
 "Thank you, Tenderfoot you may go now," said 
 the young man, with rather better grace than might have 
 been expected. 
 
 A smile which gradually developed into broad pro- 
 portions lighted up his face as he made his way over the 
 hill. 
 
 "Tenderfoot," he said aloud, glancing back at the dis- 
 appearing figure, "I must see that no harm comes to 
 you; your peculiar talent must be turned to some good 
 account"
 
 CHAPTER IV 
 THE MASTER HAND 
 
 CHRIS ENGLER swung himself down from the 
 cab of the big mountain climber which stood 
 panting and heaving before the little station of 
 Gold Dust. He glanced uneasily at his watch and 
 then looked searchingly around, but apparently found 
 little to satisfy him. Mechanically he walked around the 
 big machine looking into an oil-cup here, wiping a bear- 
 ing there, and testing a bolt in another place. This was 
 the third time Chris had made the same round some- 
 thing was clearly amiss. 
 
 Orders had been issued that a special train with Presi- 
 dent Hillman's private car attached should go out at 
 four o'clock. A half hour before, Mont Lang, the driver 
 of the engine, had hurriedly left the round house in re- 
 sponse to an urgent summons from his home. It lacked 
 but a few minutes of the hour, and he had not returned. 
 
 After the meeting in the forenoon President Hillman 
 had very quickly decided that he could conduct his cam- 
 paign to better advantage from a distance. He was com- 
 pelled to admit that the situation was rather more serious 
 than he had anticipated, and what was even more em- 
 barrassing, not to say awkward, his authority had been 
 set at naught by the man from whom he had expected 
 the greatest assistance. Colonel Delefield had openly 
 
 37
 
 38 MISTER BILL 
 
 defied him ; but there were, thanks to a great and just 
 government, those from whom he would be compelled to 
 take orders. The ringleader should be arrested and his 
 plans carried out, and if righting there must be, it was 
 not necessary that he should be a party to it; the men 
 had brought it on themselves, and they must abide the 
 consequences. In a later interview with Colonel Dele- 
 field, while adopting less aggressive tactics than he had 
 previously employed, he made it clear to that officer that 
 orders would shortly come from a source which could 
 not be disregarded, and it would be best for all concerned 
 especially for Colonel Delefield to perform his duty, 
 and arrest the man who was clearly responsible for the 
 existing state of affairs, in case he refused to give him- 
 self up at the hour appointed. 
 
 Down in the town as the hours went by the men be- 
 came more and more impatient. Apparently nothing 
 from which any satisfaction could be derived had trans- 
 pired at the meeting in the forenoon. Rumors flew 
 thick and fast, some based on facts, others calculated to 
 discourage the men or create dissensions among them. 
 The man on whom they pinned their faith and with 
 whose fortunes they had linked their own had been given 
 the choice of surrendering himself to the enemy, or suf- 
 fering forcible arrest at five o'clock. He had given no 
 sign of his intentions he had only said wait. They 
 would not frustrate his plans if plans he had by dis- 
 obeying his orders. They would wait until five o'clock 
 that was the time he had asked. But and each man 
 said it with deadly earnestness there should be no ar- 
 rest. With his arrest would disappear their last hope 
 nothing remained but to fight.
 
 THE MASTER HAND 39 
 
 At four o'clock President Hillman looked at his watch 
 and heaved a sigh of satisfaction. When several minutes 
 had passed and no move had been made, he sent one 
 of his clerks to ascertain the cause of the delay. 
 
 "No engineer !" he exclaimed, incredulously. "What's 
 the meaning of this? I gave positive instructions that 
 we should start promptly at four o'clock," and he went 
 out to investigate for himself. 
 
 "I don't know, sir," said the superintendent, helplessly. 
 "Something has happened to old Mont he can't be 
 found." 
 
 "Well, give me another man," said the President, im- 
 patiently. "My time is too valuable to be fooled away 
 by a drunken engineer. Move lively, now." 
 
 "Sorry, sir, but there ain't another man in the camp 
 that can take No. 10 down the mountain. There's only 
 two on the road that we trust with a passenger, and 
 the other is down below." 
 
 "Let the fireman take us down ; I dare say he can 
 do it if necessary," said the exasperated President, after 
 a moment's thought. 
 
 "I don't reckon that Chris will undertake the job 
 we'll see what he says," said the superintendent, leading 
 the way forward where the fireman was pacing up and 
 down beside his giant charge. 
 
 "No, sir," said Chris, slowly shaking his head, "I 
 don't cal'late I ought to undertake the job. If 'twere only 
 a freight I'd do it in a minute." 
 
 "I was not aware that it was such a very difficult feat 
 to take a train a few miles down a mountain to a man 
 who is supposed to know his business," said the Presi- 
 dent, with ill concealed disgust.
 
 40 MISTER BILL 
 
 "It's a powerful grade, sir, and she has to get the air 
 just right, or she might get away from me. Anyhow 
 it's no time to experiment with a carload of people be- 
 hind me," Chris insisted. 
 
 "I guess Chris is about right," said the superintendent. 
 
 Mr. Hillman turned away in disgust, and returned 
 to 'his car, apparently deriving little satisfaction from 
 the assertions of the men that the missing engineer might 
 turn up at any moment. 
 
 A half hour later the situation remained unchanged, 
 except, perhaps, for the growing uneasiness on the part 
 of the President and his party, and a rumor that was 
 spreading around the town of their predicament which 
 caused a general movement of the crowd toward the sta- 
 tion. Some were inclined to regard it as a huge joke 
 on the "Old Man," but others saw in it a deeper mean- 
 ing. 
 
 "The Old Man ain't gone yet," said Hank Kilburne, 
 as he rode in amongst the crowd at the station, and pulled 
 up beside one of his deputies. 
 
 "Nary a move. The Old Fellow may be on hand after 
 all when the fun begins. I reckon he don't hanker much 
 after that part of the game," said the other. 
 
 "I suspicion there may be them as have taken it upon 
 themselves to invite him to stay there's something mys- 
 terious goin' on. The Old Man is doin' the guessin' 
 jest about now," said Ed Belden, who had just ridden up. 
 "The crowd is gettin' mighty uneasy there's got to be 
 a show-down purty soon," he added, glancing around at 
 the rapidly increasing crowd. 
 
 "The Old Man's gettin' nervous," said Hank, as the 
 President appeared on the platform and looked about
 
 THE MASTER HAND 41 
 
 him. "He don't like the looks of things, and I 'low I 
 don't blame him much." 
 
 "The boys over yonder are gettin' ready for trouble," 
 said Ed, a moment later, as he discerned a movement 
 among the soldiers, "and the crowd over on the hills is 
 moving this way. There's trouble comin' fast enough. 
 It's up to Mister Bill ; and I 'low I hope he knows what 
 he's doin'." 
 
 " 'Bout time he was showin' up, 'pears to me," growled 
 Hank. "Wouldn't take much to set things to goin' 'bout 
 now." 
 
 At a quarter of five, when Colonel Delefield with the 
 greater part of his command appeared upon the scene 
 and quietly stationed his men around the station, and 
 in various commanding positions, the crowd numbered 
 close upon two thousand, and was rapidly increasing; 
 incidentally, it was fast developing the temper of the 
 mob. 
 
 It was a strange a dangerous crowd of human be- 
 ings. Hundreds of those breasts heaved with pent-up 
 passions passions as primeval as ever beat in human 
 forms. The instinct of self-preservation the instinct of 
 the wild animal that turns upon and rends itself was 
 the force that must be reckoned with. There were those 
 who knew the temper of that crowd ; they knew they 
 were powerless to control it. Only a master hand could 
 hold it in check the master hand was sorely needed. 
 
 Over the hill from the direction of Consolidated Prop- 
 erties appeared a horseman. Down the hill and along the 
 dusty roadway he came, leaving a cloud of dust behind. 
 Straight on through the stragglers on the outskirts of 
 the town, on through the mass of human beings gathered
 
 42 MISTER BILL 
 
 about the station, straight to the platform of the Presi- 
 dent's car he rode before drawing rein. A strange 
 hush fell upon the scene where but a moment before 
 strife was in the very atmosphere. The crowd waited 
 with bated breath it was withholding judgment. 
 
 "Well, young man, I am glad to see that you have 
 come to your senses," said Mr. Hillman, looking down 
 at his opponent with apparent satisfaction. "You have 
 come to give yourself up, I infer." 
 
 "No, sir, I have come to talk business," briefly re- 
 plied the young man, as he swung himself out of the 
 saddle. 
 
 "Business!" angrily exclaimed the President, "there's 
 no business that we can discuss. I should have left here 
 an hour ago ; I am leaving at any minute. Colonel Dele- 
 field has my instructions; I would advise you to confer 
 with him." 
 
 "There is ample time to discuss our affairs," coolly 
 replied the other. "I may as well tell you frankly, that 
 you will not leave the camp until we come to a thorough 
 understanding." 
 
 "You threaten me?" demanded the great man, an- 
 grily. 
 
 "I am speaking plainly; I cannot afford to do other- 
 wise, nor can you afford to have me." 
 
 "And so you and your unscrupulous followers are 
 responsible for the sudden disappearance of my engineer ; 
 you are keeping me here by force. This is infamous ! ! 
 a fool act for which you will pay dearly mark me!" 
 
 "If there is any fighting to be done I intend that you 
 shall bear a certain portion of the responsibility, inas-
 
 THE MASTER HAND 43 
 
 much as it will be done at your insistence. Now, then, 
 is it business, or fight ?" 
 
 "I might have suspected such treachery. You have 
 me again at a disadvantage. I have no doubt you are 
 foolish and reckless enough to carry out your threats. 
 For the sake of my friends my daughter I am com- 
 pelled to listen to you. Will you come inside, or do 
 you prefer neutral ground ?" inquired the President, with 
 very poor grace. 
 
 "No, sir," promptly replied the young man as he 
 climbed up on the platform and followed the other into 
 the car. "We can settle the preliminaries very quickly 
 and without assistance," he said, as they entered the car 
 and found themselves in the presence of the other di- 
 rectors. "When we understand each other, it will be 
 time enough to submit our views to those interested with 
 us." 
 
 "Come into my private apartment," said Mr. Hillman, 
 leading the way. "Now, then, what is this business 
 what do you want?" 
 
 "I want all the suits and injunctions pending against 
 Consolidated Properties withdrawn at once. I want you 
 to relinquish your claims against certain other properties 
 on which you have no just claim. I want a well de- 
 fined policy for the future and a complete change in your 
 methods of business this for myself, and my company. 
 For the men your men I bespeak your consideration. 
 They only ask for fair treatment. You cannot do less 
 in justice to yourself, to say nothing of justice to them, 
 than to give it to them." 
 
 "Your demands are exceedingly modest, young man," 
 said Mr. Hillman with contemptuous sarcasm. "Do you
 
 44 MISTER BILL 
 
 think I have no alternative but to submit to your dicta- 
 tion. Are you fool enough to think that I would be 
 bound by any promises made under threats of bodily 
 injury ?" 
 
 "No. Threats mean but little unless backed by the 
 power to enforce them. I happen to have that power." 
 
 "In that case I advise you to show your hand this is 
 no time for idle words. What is this wonderful power 
 you hold?" demanded the President, with irritable im- 
 patience. 
 
 "The railroad this railroad," replied the young man, 
 with forcible emphasis. "Consolidated Properties and its 
 friends control The New Mexico Consolidated Rail- 
 road." 
 
 "It's false!" cried the astonished Chief. "It's false 
 you cannot deceive me with such a fool trick. I happen 
 to know just where the control of the railroad rests; I 
 have made it my business to know, and before long it 
 will be under the control of the Eastern Syndicate." 
 
 "It is no trick, but the solemn truth which I can prove 
 to your satisfaction. While you have been attempting to 
 secure control of the railroad by the same unscrupulous 
 methods you employed to gain possession of the mines, 
 a corporation in which Consolidated Properties is the 
 principal holder has been acquiring the stock, and to-day 
 secured the controlling interest." 
 
 "Even so?" 
 
 "Your mines your entire property in this district 
 are therefore practically in our power." 
 
 "Am I to understand that you threaten to use that 
 power to compel me to accede to your outrageous de-
 
 THE MASTER HAND 45 
 
 mands?" inquired the President, considerably subdued by 
 the sudden turn of affairs. 
 
 "Precisely if you force me to that extent. I ask only 
 simple justice for myself and the men whose fight I have 
 made my own because our interests were one. We were 
 compelled to fight for our very existence." 
 
 "This is a matter that I must lay before my directors ; 
 we must have time to consider," said the President, 
 finally. 
 
 "Very well, sir. I will return in an hour for your 
 decision." 
 
 The feelings of a certain young woman were too con- 
 flicting to permit of analysis while this interview was in 
 progress. She had made a sudden and disconcerting dis- 
 covery. She had been in the power of this same un- 
 scrupulous man; she had even told him what had she 
 told him? She watched him as he mounted his horse 
 and rode away through the crowd which quietly dis- 
 persed apparently in obedience to a few words from him 
 the crowd that but a few minutes before was a wild 
 jeering mob of which she stood in mortal terror. What 
 strange power did he hold over these men? She knew 
 not what to make of such a man, nor could Mr. Her- 
 ringdon throw much light upon this particular subject. 
 
 Late that night the little town was a scene of great 
 rejoicing when it became known that a satisfactory un- 
 derstanding had been reached between the directors of 
 the Eastern Syndicate and the representatives of the 
 men, and that work in the mines would be resumed with- 
 out delay. Early in the morning the regular train to 
 which was attached the private car of President Hillman 
 pulled out on schedule time, old Mont occupying his
 
 46 MISTER BILL 
 
 accustomed seat in the cab. The soldiers also took their 
 departure next day much to the satisfaction of the towns- 
 people, as well as the men themselves, including- their 
 blunt old Colonel, who was too much of a soldier to 
 relish such duty as he had been called upon to perform.
 
 CHAPTER V 
 "DADDIE" 
 
 ALTHOUGH peace had been declared and each 
 side seemed desirous of adjusting itself to the 
 new conditions as rapidly as possible, there was 
 more or less friction which gave indications of 
 smouldering fires. The heat of passion had been too 
 thoroughly aroused to be at once laid cold. The services 
 of the strike-breakers and the crowd of deputies and 
 fighting men were no longer required; a goodly number 
 of the latter, however, seemed in no hurry to take their 
 departure, and immediately proceeded to whoop things 
 up at a lively rate, and made themselves still more con- 
 spicuous by loud threats against certain individuals who 
 had incurred their displeasure. Their presence was a 
 menace to the peace of the community; they were keep- 
 ing alive a spirit of resentment which sooner or later 
 must find expression. The townspeople were in no mood 
 to be trifled with; they had rights which must be re- 
 spected. The day following the departure of the soldiers 
 came the first outbreak which for a brief moment seemed 
 likely to develop serious consequences, but the prompt- 
 ness with which it was suppressed seemed to have a 
 salutary effect on the belligerents. 
 
 The quiet of the early morning was suddenly broken 
 by the ominous reports of three shots following one after 
 
 47
 
 48 MISTER BILL 
 
 the other in quick succession. In a twinkling the main 
 street of the little town became a scene of wild excite- 
 ment. Shopkeepers with their early morning patrons 
 rushed to their doors ; unkempt heads protruded from 
 second-story windows; blear-eyed and surly stragglers 
 lurched awkwardly out of the saloons; the small restau- 
 rants and Chinese chop-houses added their quota to the 
 motley throng. All eyes were immediately focused upon 
 a strange appearing individual who had taken up a posi- 
 tion in the middle of the street, and in loud but somewhat 
 incoherent speech was proclaiming his ability to maintain 
 it against all comers. He was recklessly flourishing his 
 shooting-iron, and inspired doubtless, by his rapidly in- 
 creasing audience, proceeded to cast maledictions of an 
 equally confused character upon the community at large, 
 and upon one Mister Bill in particular, against whom he 
 seemed to have a special grievance. 
 
 "Tenderfoot's lookin' for trouble, sure enough," 
 growled the proprietor of the leading mercantile es- 
 tablishment, as he proceeded to barricade his windows 
 against the intrusion of stray bullets. 
 
 "He's sure enough come to the right place it's jest 
 layin' 'round here loose," said Hank Kilburne, as he 
 elbowed his way through the crowd in front of the store. 
 "Better get inside, ladies," he gruffly admonished, "no 
 tellin' where the lightnin' will strike." 
 
 Crack! Crack! followed two more shots evidently 
 fired at random, the first, shattering a pane of glass in one 
 of the saloons, and the second, kicking up a small cloud 
 of dust in the street. A rapid scampering to get under 
 cover, and a wild rush from all sides followed this sec- 
 ond display of careless marksmanship, and the reckless in-
 
 "DADDIE" 49 
 
 ebriate who had so brazenly courted trouble suddenly 
 found it closing in about him. In the excitement of the 
 first mad rush the crowd seemed to literally wrestle and 
 struggle with itself, and to the angry desire of each man 
 to lay violent hands on the offender may be attributed 
 his momentary respite from its summary vengeance. 
 
 Suddenly above the muttered growls and curses a 
 warning cry was raised. A horse and rider came tearing 
 down the street at breakneck speed, and not until the 
 animal seemed about to plunge into the very midst of the 
 struggling mass did the rider draw violent rein, bringing 
 his horse to his haunches, scattering men right and left, 
 and enveloping the crowd in a cloud of the heavy yellow 
 dust that lay inches deep on the roadway. 
 
 "Mister Bill!" cried a chorus of the onlookers, who 
 had recognized the reckless rider from their various 
 points of vantage. 
 
 "Tenderfoot was lookin' for him, and now he's 
 found him," sarcastically observed one of a group of by- 
 standers. 
 
 "I don't cal'late he had any pressin' business with Mis- 
 ter Bill," dryly remarked one of his companions. 
 
 "Looks like Mister Bill has uncommon business with 
 him 'peared sort of hurried like, the way he lit into that 
 crowd," said another. 
 
 Simultaneously with the pulling up his horse the man 
 had thrown himself from the saddle, and before the 
 crowd had recovered from the surprise occasioned by his 
 unceremonious arrival he had forced his way into its 
 very midst, and was standing face to face with the man 
 who but a moment before was proudly proclaiming his 
 desire for such a meeting. As the new-comer was rec-
 
 50 MISTER BILL 
 
 ognized the tension on all sides seemed suddenly to re- 
 lax, and as one man the crowd fell slowly back. For a 
 brief interval of strange and almost ominous quiet the 
 two men regarded each other in silence. 
 
 "I'll troutle you for that gun," he said, and the cool 
 insistence of his demand seemed to leave the other no 
 alternative but to hand over the troublesome shooter. "I 
 believe that is your horse," he continued, in the same 
 even voice, dropping the gun carelessly into his own 
 side strap, and indicating by a nod of his head the an- 
 imal in question, "and the next time you have business 
 in this camp your fireworks can be dispensed with to 
 your advantage," he added, significantly. 
 
 He stood quietly watching the movements of the now 
 thoroughly cowed and considerably sobered belligerent, 
 who lost no time in mounting his horse, and making off 
 down the trail. Turning to the expectant crowd, which 
 seemed at a loss to understand this informal disposition 
 of so dangerous a character, a good-natured smile spread 
 slowly over his bronzed countenance. 
 
 "Sorry, boys," he said, "to break into your game so 
 abruptly, but the fact is I have a special interest in that 
 chap, and I don't want any harm to come to him just 
 yet. You gave him a lesson he will not soon forget." 
 
 "All right, Mister Bill, if you're willin' to let it go at 
 that, guess we can stand it," replied one of the rough 
 fellows, which seemed to voice the general sentiment, and 
 the crowd quickly dispersed. 
 
 "Come on, Mexico !" he called, as he took leave of his 
 companions, and made his way briskly along the side- 
 walk, "come on, old chap, we'll go to breakfast," glanc- 
 ing over his shoulder to see that his summons was obeyed.
 
 "DADDIE" 51 
 
 Turning abruptly from the main street, he struck off up 
 the hill, Mexico following close behind and wagging his 
 ears with equine consciousness of this special mark of at- 
 tention from his master. From several of the small 
 cabins came hearty salutations and an occasional invita- 
 tion to stop and have a "bite," which were all good-na- 
 turedly declined without interruption to the brisk pace 
 he was setting until one more peremptory than the oth- 
 ers seemed to compel a momentary halt. 
 
 "Mornin', Mister Bill," called a cheery feminine voice 
 from the porch of the last cabin. "Jim 'lowed you might 
 stop and have a snack with him. Dad sent us up some 
 bran new store coffee, and Jim says I beat anything he 
 ever did see makin' ranch biscuit and I 'low I jest 
 about beat myself this mornin'." 
 
 "Ah, Molly, you are a sad tempter! You certainly do 
 know my weakness," he laughed, pausing for a mo- 
 ment, "but you must excuse me this time. Ling gave 
 me strict orders to return to breakfast. Something very 
 mysterious is going on he has some great surprise for 
 me. You see, I can't take any chances. Thank you, 
 Molly," he said, as he proceeded on his way quite uncon- 
 scious that Molly's bright eyes seemed suddenly to lose 
 interest in their work, and followed him until he was lost 
 to sight up the trail. 
 
 He swung briskly along the tortuous trail, but had not 
 proceeded far before he discovered a strange figure but 
 a short distance ahead of him. As he came up with the 
 mysterious stranger, she suddenly turned and confronted 
 him. 
 
 "Dad's gal!" he exclaimed, in evident surprise. "I 
 thought you "
 
 52 MISTER BILL 
 
 "Yes, you thought I was dead. Well, I am to every- 
 thing decent and respectable. This miserable body still 
 breathes, but dad's gal is dead," she replied, in a harsh, 
 metallic voice with an evident effort to repress any nat- 
 ural feeling she might have felt. 
 
 "Where have you been all these years, Daddie?" he 
 inquired, with kindly interest. 
 
 "Going from bad to worse pretty much all the time, 
 I reckon. It ain't so hard when everybody gives you a 
 kick to help you along. From the time Tenderfoot came 
 to our camp over there in Colorado with his smooth 
 tongue, and I believed his fine promises, and broke dad's 
 old heart, I've been on that trail. Don't think I want 
 your pity I didn't come up here for that," she hastened 
 to assure him, as if ashamed of the momentary weakness 
 she had allowed herself. 
 
 "No, Daddie I understand. Go on," he told her kind- 
 ly, as if he read her thoughts. 
 
 "It ain't a fair deal the cards are stacked when a 
 smooth-tongued devil can play his game to the limit with 
 a young un' that don't know no more about the world 
 than she learned from her old dad and some rough old 
 miners, and who never had any companions but the wild 
 things she found in the woods and made friends with 
 because she was almost as wild as they," she told him, 
 with bitterness of subdued heart pain and remorse. "But 
 what's the use!" she cried, impatiently, "you know all 
 about it, and I'm only wasting your time when I've no 
 business even speaking to you." 
 
 "Where do you live, Daddie what are you doing 
 here?" 
 
 "I live down there among the shanties in hell. I came
 
 "DADDIE" 53 
 
 up here this morning to warn you. Tenderfoot would 
 do you harm if he could he hates you from the bottom 
 of his wicked black heart. He is jealous of your success, 
 and blames you for all of his failures. He was drinking 
 down there all night, and boasted that he had you on the 
 hip at last, and was only waiting his time to throw you. 
 I don't know his game, but he and his pals are pretty 
 sure of their cards or he wouldn't be so reckless." 
 
 "And so you came to warn me, Daddie that was good 
 of you. But I don't fear him his bark is worse than his 
 bite." 
 
 "I know you don't fear him, Mister Bill. You could 
 crush every bone in his miserable body in a fair fight, 
 but he don't fight in the open he strikes from behind. 
 I know what you did this morning I saw it all. You 
 saved his cowardly life when his threat to kill you was 
 hardly cold on his lips. Somehow," she hesitated, "some- 
 how, I should like to thank you, only I know you would 
 do the same thing for a yaller dog; besides, you don't 
 want thanks from such as me." 
 
 "I know only Daddie dad's gal still lives to me," he 
 gently replied, stroking Mexico's soft muzzle which 
 rested against his shoulder. "She was as wild and 
 sweet and pretty and pure a mountain flower as ever grew. 
 A cruel hand plucked the innocent and helpless flower to 
 please a passing fancy the flower was not to blame." 
 
 "Those are the first kind words I've heard in years," 
 she cried, covering her face with her hands, and bursting 
 into tears. "Oh! that I might wake up and find myself 
 Daddie once more, and all the rest a hideous dream. If 
 only a kind and encouraging word had been given to me
 
 54 MISTER BILL 
 
 sometimes I might have been different and better. Oh! 
 why are harsh words so free so easy to give?" 
 
 "You have been unfortunate, Daddie, in seeing only that 
 side" 
 
 "But you you respect all of God's creatures no mat- 
 ter whether they are poor devils of men and women, or 
 nobody's dog with a broken leg that you pick up in the 
 street, and carry home to your cabin Oh, yes, I know! 
 You know that we have hearts and feelings as well as the 
 men that make us what we are. You know that we don't 
 all have the same chance, and maybe some of the fine 
 folks that think we poison the air they breathe wouldn't 
 be so much better if they got the same start maybe some 
 of us might be pitied as well as kicked and cussed. But I 
 mustn't keep you here no longer," she cried, stifling her 
 sobs, "I came to warn you and to ask something of 
 you." 
 
 "What would you ask of me, Daddie?" 
 
 "I know you will understand," she said, with some hes- 
 itation, "and it's not so much to ask you. You will do 
 it anyhow, but I shall feel better for asking. He has 
 made me what I am, but I don't hold any spite against 
 him, anyhow I don't want any revenge. But he has an 
 old mother somewhere East that ain't so many more 
 years to live, and if it's any satisfaction for her to know 
 he's alive, I'm willing for her to have it. His name is 
 my name, which ain't much to brag about, but it means 
 something even to me " 
 
 "I know, Daddie." 
 
 "But some time," she continued, her eyes flashing, and 
 her whole demeanor undergoing a sudden change, "they 
 may get you into a corner, and you will have to fight back.
 
 "DADDIE" 55 
 
 If he gets in your way, don't take any chances, but crush 
 him crush him as you would a snake. You have too 
 much at stake too much depends upon you to give 
 the pack barking and snarling at your heels a chance to 
 pull you down. It's not for him, but for his old mother, 
 and Daddie. Good-bye, Mister Bill, and God bless you," 
 she cried, thrusting out her hand, only to as quickly draw 
 it back, and darting past him, rushed wildly down the 
 trail. 
 
 He watched her until she disappeared, and then pro- 
 ceeded on his way more slowly and thoughtfully. Mex- 
 ico trailed along unbidden and apparently forgotten for 
 some distance, when slowly and with seeming solicitous 
 inquiry, the intelligent head was thrust gently forward 
 over his master's shoulder. 
 
 "That's right, Mex, you rascal, I'm not very sociable 
 this morning," he said to his faithful follower, pausing 
 for a moment and stroking the animal's head. "But you 
 must forgive me this time, old fellow, and we'll not al- 
 low it to occur again. Come on now, before we get into 
 any more trouble, and we'll see what wonderful surprise 
 ling has for us."
 
 CHAPTER VI 
 LING'S "STLISE" 
 
 THE cabin towards which the young man was 
 making his way differed little in external appear- 
 ance from several others in its immediate vicin- 
 ity, but in the interior the individuality of its 
 owner was distinctly in evidence. One side of the large 
 room was given over almost exclusively to a rather im- 
 posing collection of books; he had gathered about him 
 a well-selected company of entertaining and instructive 
 companions. On the opposite side of the room was a 
 large drafting-board arrangement, drawers and shelves 
 containing specimens of rocks and ores, jars and bottles 
 of dust and dirt, all carefully labeled and arranged. Sev- 
 eral easy chairs, three or four large lamps, a couch on 
 which was piled a small mountain of pillows, and a large 
 square table in the center of the room, made up the con- 
 spicuous furnishings of the cabin. Amid these homely 
 but comfortable surroundings he spent many solitary hours 
 alone but never lonely : frequently working far into 
 the night over some complex problem of finance, law, or 
 mechanical detail pertaining to the mines. His simple 
 life and temperate habits enabled him to perform seem- 
 ingly herculean labors, but which in reality were little 
 more than the natural expression of a healthy and well- 
 balanced mind and body. Aided by an indomitable will 
 
 56
 
 LING'S "S'PLISE" 57 
 
 to conquer every obstacle that stood in his way, he had 
 not only made himself familiar with the various trades 
 and professions necessary to the development and suc- 
 cessful working of mines, but had made himself prac- 
 tically an expert in several of the departments. Like 
 most men who succeed in mastering themselves, no less 
 than their professions, he was extremely modest con- 
 cerning his abilities, and performed his manifold duties 
 without apparent effort, and little or no friction with the 
 large number of men under his immediate supervision. 
 
 "Sorry to keep you waiting, boys I was delayed down 
 below," he briefly explained upon his arrival at the cabin, 
 as he relieved Mexico of saddle and bridle and turned 
 him loose. "Breakfast ready, Ling?" he inquired, as the 
 China boy's grinning countenance appeared at the cook- 
 room window. 
 
 "Him all leddy, Mister Bill heap good s'plise," he 
 chuckled, as he returned to his work. 
 
 The "boys" were apparently fifty years or more of age, 
 David Bishop and Joseph Sutter, by name, co-workers 
 and directors in the big mining company. They occu- 
 pied a nearby cabin, and "grubbed" with the young man 
 at a common table. 
 
 "We know all about it, Mister Bill," said Joe, as he 
 led the way into the cabin. 
 
 "Seems like you took a mighty sight of trouble to save 
 the hide of that good-for-nothin' Tenderfoot," growled 
 Dave, in evident disapproval, as they took their places 
 at the table. 
 
 "Well, yes, it might appear that way, David from 
 your point of view." 
 
 "Don't see what difference the p'int of view makes,"
 
 58 MISTER BILL 
 
 returned Dave, with considerable warmth. "He's a no- 
 account Tenderfoot from any and every p'int of the com- 
 pass." 
 
 "Even so, I could not stand by and see the poor devil 
 used as a football or worse," said the young man, ap- 
 parently not in the least disturbed by the disapproval of 
 the elder men. 
 
 "You didn't have to break your neck gettin' into the 
 scrimmage," Joe suggested with embarrassing frankness. 
 
 "I believe in lettin' natur' take her course. I reckon 
 she knows best, and 'peared like she had some dirty work 
 on hand this mornin' when you jumped in and upset 
 things. Mighty serious business interferin' with natur'," 
 Dave solemnly declared. 
 
 "That chap has been in this 'ere country for nigh on 
 to fifteen years to my knowin', and he's a tenderfoot yet 
 and he'll never be no different. He's mighty handy 
 pickin' up low-down tricks, but nothin' decent 'pears able 
 to stick to him," said Joe. 
 
 "Great excitement in China this mornin'," said Dave, 
 under his breath, as Ling trotted briskly into the room, 
 and placing a steaming bowl of mush before each man, 
 shuffled out again grinning and chuckling to himself. 
 "Runnin' under purty high pressure liable to blow up 
 if he don't let off steam middlin' soon. What do you 
 cal'late Tenderfoot's up to now, Mister Bill ?" he inquired, 
 returning to the subject under discussion. 
 
 "Any idee what low-down mischief he's up to?" asked 
 Joe, as a reply was not forthcoming. 
 
 "Yes, I have several ideas, but they will not tend to 
 raise the gentleman in your estimation."
 
 LING'S "S'PLISE" 59 
 
 "Let her go, Mister Bill he sure can't go no lower," 
 said Dave. 
 
 "Well, Dave, my ideas, like the points of your com- 
 pass, all tend to one conclusion. Tenderfoot and his pals 
 are spying on Consolidated Properties in the interest 
 of certain Eastern capitalists." 
 
 "What!" shouted astonished Dave Bishop, staring at 
 the young man in open-mouthed amazement, "and know- 
 in' all that you jump in and save his miserable life? 
 That's what I call puttin' a bounty on a chap's cussed- 
 ness." 
 
 "Some crowd or other seems to be holdin' a gun at our 
 heads most of the time ; and I reckon they will so long as 
 they think it's worth their while," said Joe, with keen dis- 
 gust. 
 
 "Seein' as how you've been kind enough to give the 
 varmit a rope to hang us with, what are we goin' to do 
 about it? Jest hang 'round sort of easy-like, and wait to 
 be strung up?" inquired Dave, with grave sarcasm. 
 
 "That is only another point of view, David. I have 
 given him a rope, yes to hang himself," replied the 
 young man, quietly amused at the surprise and indigna- 
 tion of the elder men. 
 
 "I 'low I don't see much beyond the p'int of my nose, 
 Mister Bill," said Dave, quite helplessly. 
 
 "It ain't so clear to me as it might be," Joe was forced 
 to admit. 
 
 "Well, then, it occurred to me that so much general 
 cussedness concentrated in one individual might be made 
 to serve some good purpose if it could only be rightly 
 directed." 
 
 "I pass," said Dave, with a hopeless shake of his head.
 
 60 MISTER BILL 
 
 "I ain't doubtin' but you'll do what you say, Mister Bill, 
 but I'm mighty curious to know how you expect to turn 
 the current of a river and make it run up stream." 
 
 "By me, too I ain't in the game. How you goin' to 
 do it, Mister Bill, if it ain't no great secret?" inquired 
 Joe, with considerable curiosity. 
 
 "To be perfectly frank, Joe, I don't know; but I 
 thought I might figure it out now that I have the general 
 dimensions of the problem," quietly replied the young 
 man, whose appetite seemed not in the least affected by 
 the serious aspect of the situation in the estimation of his 
 companions. 
 
 "You can't do it none too quick to my way of think- 
 in', Mister Bill," said Dave, very positively. 
 
 "We agree perfectly on that point " 
 
 "What's happened to that highbinder now ?" exclaimed 
 Dave, as a wild Mongolian yell rang out. "I was feared 
 he'd blow up," he solemnly affirmed. An unintelligible 
 jumble of broken English, and a rapid scampering of feet 
 followed the first wild outbreak, and Ling burst into 
 the room, a pitiable picture of tearful consternation and 
 helpless despair. 
 
 "Old Mexico, he velly bad horse him no good!" he 
 cried, wiping his eyes with his white apron, and with dif- 
 ficulty refraining from sobbing outright. "S'plise all 
 gone Mexico eat him all up, Mister Bill." 
 
 "What was the surprise what did old Mexico eat, 
 Ling?" inquired the owner of the maligned animal, very 
 seriously. 
 
 "Mister Bill, he say apple pie heap good he like him 
 velly much. Me send long way off and get apple make 
 two velly fine apple pies heap big. Me put 'em on shelf
 
 LING'S "S'PLISE" 61 
 
 out doors, old Mexico come along and eat him one like 
 him velly good eat him two all gone no more. Mis- 
 ter Bill get no s'plise old Mexico catch 'em all me heap 
 mad !" he cried, and fled from the room deaf to all com- 
 miseration. 
 
 "You'll sure have to take the will for the deed this 
 time, Mister Bill," said Dave, more soberly than was his 
 wont. "There's a sight more human natur' inside his 
 yaller hide than I had any idee."
 
 CHAPTER VII 
 THE TEST OF THE METAL 
 
 IN the still gray light of the early dawn, high up on 
 the summit of the hill rising steep and abrupt above 
 the little town, might have been discerned the soli- 
 tary figure of a man outlined against the sombre 
 mountain side. Straight and silent he stood, gazing 
 steadfastly off into the distance. At his feet lay his sole 
 companion, a splendid pointer, that now and again looked 
 up inquiringly at his master, and receiving no acknowl- 
 edgment of his presence closed his eyes and possessed his 
 canine soul in peace. As the child to the father was this 
 little town this thriving field of industry to him who 
 stood like a sentinel of the night watching over its sleep. 
 He had seen it grow with strong and sturdy strides from 
 the infant to man's estate ; he had seen it steadily acquir- 
 ing the power that was to turn upon and dispute pos- 
 session with him who gave it birth. The time had come. 
 All his earlier efforts, his trials and triumphs, had been 
 but the preparation for the final struggle that must now 
 be fought to victory or defeat. That which was his by 
 right of discovery, the fruits of his labors even his life, 
 if circumstances required were the spoils demanded by 
 his powerful and unscrupulous enemy. 
 
 His had been the first hand to drive a stake on that 
 hillside when, only a little more than four years before, 
 
 62
 
 THE TEST OF THE METAL 63 
 
 he and his two companions with their small pack-train 
 had climbed slowly and wearily up from the valley in 
 quest of the rich veins of mineral which he believed lay 
 hidden among those rugged hills. Day after day they 
 had toiled on in the same monotonous, discouraging, yet 
 persistent search, until their patience was finally rewarded, 
 and the secret hiding place of nature's treasure was laid 
 bare. Almost immediately the hillside and surrounding 
 country echoed to the sound of pick and drill. A camp 
 sprang up in a night a town seemed to emerge from 
 the very mountain side. Wonderful tales of the fabulous 
 wealth stored in these hills spread broadcast over the 
 land, and hundreds flocked to the new Eldorado. Com- 
 panies large and small were exploited, and their shares 
 of stock greedily taken by a susceptible and speculative 
 public almost before the ink was dry on the certifi- 
 cates, or a clod of Dearth turned on the claims. A monster 
 company to work the mountain side on a mammoth 
 scale was put into operation, with a facility which spoke 
 not less eloquently for the marvelous energies of its pro- 
 moters, than for the credulity of the public. Its stock 
 was quickly at a premium, and to meet the insistent de- 
 mands of this same credulous public, its accommodating 
 promoters doubled, and finally trebled the stock, which 
 went soaring to fabulous figures. There seemed no limit 
 to the possibilities of these wonderful properties as viewed 
 by their promoters. A railroad was indispensable to the 
 successful working of this mammoth plant, and the pro- 
 ject was carried through with the same wild hurrah that 
 had characterized their previous operations. While ex- 
 citement ran at fever heat, and speculation was rife as 
 to the point the stock would ultimately reach, there sud-
 
 64 MISTER BILL 
 
 denly came from out an apparently clear sky a blinding 
 and stupefying crash that shook the new company to its 
 very foundations. Without a moment's warning a re- 
 port went forth from the mines that the veins, which 
 were popularly supposed to be inexhaustible, had been 
 lost. Down tumbled the stock, the phenomenal gains of 
 weeks melting away in a night. Not until the stock had 
 fallen considerably below its par value and thousands of 
 the shareholders shaken out, were the veins picked up 
 or so reported from the mines and the stock permitted 
 to climb slowly back into popular favor. For a while all 
 seemed serene, and the confidence of the public was once 
 more restored, when the mines were suddenly discovered 
 to be flooded, and down went the stock to even a lower 
 figure than before in short, the properties had simply 
 been made the tool of the few to gull the many. 
 
 In the adjoining claims a smaller company had sunk 
 its shafts, and had successfully prosecuted its work of 
 development and production. Unfortunately for its own- 
 ers, however, their more modest property was made to 
 suffer through the erratic movements of the larger com- 
 pany, as the same conditions were generally supposed to 
 prevail in each. They rarely profited by these fluctua- 
 tions as they had no means of ascertaining the movements 
 of the stock-jobbers only as their own stock went soar- 
 ing up or tumbling down hard on the heels of their neigh- 
 bor's they were as much in the dark as was the public 
 at large. 
 
 Finally, in self defence, they succeeded, with the as- 
 sistance of capital interested on the strength of the known 
 value of their own property, and the real, or supposed 
 value of their neighbor's, in securing control of the big
 
 THE TEST OF THE METAL 65 
 
 company. Instead of freeing themselves from the influ- 
 ence of the stock-jobbers, they now found themselves 
 the direct object of attack of their former neighbors, who 
 lost no opportunity of harassing them at every turn. 
 
 The properties had been so conspicuously before the 
 public and their wonderful possibilities so strongly cred- 
 ited despite their erratic movements, that a phenomenal 
 "strike" was believed to be only a question of time, and 
 the susceptible followers seemed ever willing to take at 
 least one more chance rather than to miss the golden op- 
 portunity of their lives, as they seemed to regard it. 
 Under these circumstances very little was required to 
 start the stock moving up, and even less to topple it down, 
 the new owners being still helpless to prevent the violent 
 fluctuations. 
 
 In the meantime the Eastern Syndicate had invaded the 
 field, and the Properties almost immediately became the 
 bone of contention of the two great money powers, each 
 employing its own peculiar methods. While the big 
 Syndicate had now been effectually disposed of, the im- 
 mediate resources of the company, never large, had prac- 
 tically been exhausted in the long fight with its powerful 
 rival, and in securing a controlling interest in the rail- 
 road. To complicate matters, the old crowd had suc- 
 ceeded in forcing the price of the stock down to the low- 
 est point in its history, and gave every evidence of their 
 intention as well as their ability to keep it down, thus 
 preventing its owners from realizing on their holdings. 
 This, then, was the latest invention of the enemy. The 
 trap had been laid with a cunning appreciation of the 
 necessities of the company when it should emerge from 
 its fight with the Syndicate.
 
 66 MISTER BILL 
 
 Money a considerable sum must be forthcoming for 
 further improvement and development of the mines, or 
 operations would soon cease. Clearly the old enemy was 
 a menace to the prosperity of the Properties ; he must 
 be disposed of, and that most effectually, before anything 
 like permanent prosperity could be hoped for. 
 
 Such was the situation confronting the young president 
 and manager of the properties. Such was the prob- 
 lem with which he had been wrestling nearly the whole 
 night long. Had he been over ambitious and taken upon 
 himself too great a responsibility a responsibility which 
 older men had declared was beyond his years and ex- 
 perience? Had he escaped the snares of one enemy only 
 to fall into the pit of another? Were those who had in- 
 vested their money at his solicitation and because of their 
 faith in him to suffer a loss was he to fail them at the 
 crucial time? Must he throw up his hands and surren- 
 der himself and his friends to their common enemy? 
 Must he, indeed? 
 
 Erect and rigid he stood deep his thoughts and tense 
 his gaze. Stranger alike to weakening back, or quaking 
 knees was that superb physique. Admit defeat not un- 
 til he was laid on his back. Fight to the very last ditch. 
 Throw up his hands never. 
 
 Slowly the sun rose over the distant mountain tops and 
 streaked the east with gray ; warmth and light had come 
 upon the earth. Slowly the tension of his features re- 
 laxed ; a softer light shone in his eyes a smile was on his 
 lips. Night was past, and day had dawned. 
 
 "I have it!" he exclaimed, glancing about him as from 
 a sudden awakening, "I have it at last, old fellow!" he 
 laughed, stooping down and fondling the patient animal
 
 THE TEST OF THE METAL 67 
 
 that sprang to his feet at the first sound of his master's 
 voice. "You are a good dog, Seneca you have been 
 very patient with your morose old master. We'll go 
 home now. It is a wise dog that knows his limitations," 
 he genially declared, as he straightened up, and made 
 ready to descend the trail. 
 
 "Ah! Tis grand this old world of ours!" he ex- 
 claimed, with almost reverential simplicity, as he paused 
 a moment to contemplate the wondrous scene of chang- 
 ing lights and shadows. " 'Tis truly a marvelous handi- 
 work," he gently breathed, "a glorious habitat for man. 
 Oh, you poor devil, man !" he sighed, after a short inter- 
 val of silent contemplation, his mood suddenly changing. 
 "How you fight and kill! How you fawn and grovel! 
 How you debase and debauch your better self in the mad 
 struggle for the paltry things of earth which leave the 
 richest of your kind but the merest pauper compared with 
 the wealth you cast aside the wealth of soul exchanged 
 for the dross of earth, because you are too mad to heed 
 too blind to see. Verily, the ways of man surpass all un- 
 derstanding 'tis but a poor tribute he offers to the Cre- 
 ator of this great and wonderful universe. No, Sen- 
 eca, I am not talking to you, but to a very superior crea- 
 ture called a man, who is heartily ashamed of himself, 
 and his little insignificant thoughts. Lead on, you ras- 
 cal we have schemed enough." 
 
 "Figured it out, Mister Bill?" inquired Dave, as the 
 young man strode briskly into the office a few minutes 
 later. "I reckon you turned out purty early this morn- 
 in' or maybe you didn't turn in?" 
 
 "Leave for Denver to-night, Dave," he briefly replied.
 
 68 MISTER BILL 
 
 "You don't say so? I reckon you didn't lose your sleep 
 for nothin'. Whose goin' to run the works while you're 
 gone ?" 
 
 "For the next few weeks they will be run for the ben- 
 efit of certain individuals who are interested in our af- 
 fairs. We will give Tenderfoot and his pals all the rope 
 they want." 
 
 "All right, Mister Bill, anythin' you say goes even to 
 blowin' the works sky high." 
 
 "We will try the effect of a little explosive agency on 
 the other fellow before taking the treatment ourselves, 
 Dave." 
 
 "Mighty little difference between rope and powder 
 lands a chap in purty much the same place, I reckon." 
 
 "Depends upon which end of the rope you happen to 
 be attached, Dave. Don't forget that in your reckoning. 
 For the present we shall devote our best efforts to keep- 
 ing away from the business end of the string. Any ob- 
 jections to offer?" 
 
 "Nary a one, Mister Bill. That suits your Uncle Dave 
 down to the ground."
 
 CHAPTER VIII 
 NO FLAW 
 
 MR. WINSOR GODDARD, banker, mining 
 man and several times millionaire, of Den- 
 ver, Colorado, was seated at his desk in his 
 private office in the rear of the large bank- 
 ing room looking over his morning mail. Close at hand 
 lay a telegram at which he occasionally glanced as if 
 some further meaning or perchance a different interpre- 
 tation might be drawn from the brief message. When 
 the last letter had received his attention he called his chief 
 clerk, with whom he held a brief consultation, and to 
 whose care he consigned the pile of letters. When he 
 was alone he again slowly read the telegram, settled him- 
 self comfortably in his chair, and apparently gave him- 
 self up to deep meditation. He was not permitted to re- 
 main long undisturbed, as a clerk entered almost imme- 
 diately and announced a visitor. "Let him come right in," 
 he promptly directed, once more the brisk man of busi- 
 ness. 
 
 "Good morning, Mister Bill glad to see you, young 
 man," was his hearty salutation, giving his visitor a cor- 
 dial hand-clasp. "I have been studying your telegram and 
 speculating upon the nature of this important business. 
 I believe I have even permitted myself to indulge the 
 hope that it may relate in some way to that old proposition 
 
 69
 
 70 MISTER BILL 
 
 of mine which is still open, if you care to accept it," 
 he added, regarding his visitor questioningly. 
 
 "There are several holes in the ground down there in 
 New Mexico that require my most devoted attention for 
 the present, Mr. Goddard." 
 
 "I imagined as much. We have heard considerable 
 about that surprise you sprung on the old Consolidated 
 crowd, as well as your recent set-to with the Hillman com- 
 bination. They are an unscrupulous lot," he declared, 
 shaking his head, "You served them well." 
 
 "The real struggle is to come we have staked all on 
 this final effort to free ourselves from our tormentors." 
 
 "Opinions seem to differ as to the outcome of this fight 
 with your old enemy. Some incline to believe that it 
 was part of the game to allow you to secure possession 
 of the mines in order to create a little excitement and at 
 the proper time draw the public into a fight to regain 
 control of the Properties merely another way of play- 
 ing the same old game. Others think you capable of tak- 
 ing care of yourself, and incidentally, of the crowd of 
 sharps with which you have to deal." 
 
 "And you, sir?" queried the young man, the slightest 
 suggestion of a smile hovering about the corners of his 
 mouth. 
 
 "I am free to confess, young man, that I am not wast- 
 ing any of my sympathy on you," declared Mr. Goddard, 
 with an assumption of indifference. "Nevertheless, we are 
 all quite curious to know how you expect to restore pub- 
 lic confidence in your mines, and at the same time hold 
 the old crowd at bay." 
 
 "By the simplest and most direct means at my com- 
 mand, Mr. Goddard," promptly replied the young man.
 
 NO FLAW 71 
 
 "I shall fight them at their own game; on their own 
 grounds to a finish. I shall restore public confidence in 
 the Properties by running them on business principles, 
 and giving each man a fair and square run for his money." 
 
 "Spoken like the man that you are, Mister Bill," im- 
 pulsively exclaimed Mr. Goddard, bringing his hand 
 down on the broad shoulder of the other with forcible ap- 
 proval. "That's the spirit, young man, that cannot fail 
 to succeed your fight is already half won." 
 
 "Thank you, sir, I am glad to have your approval," 
 said the younger man, with simple frankness. "This is 
 practically a single-handed fight on my side, and a pat 
 on the back from the right source carries the weight 
 of a sledge hammer." 
 
 "I see there is little hope of your considering my prop- 
 osition," said Mr. Goddard, regarding his visitor with 
 thoughtful interest. "I have been at a loss to understand 
 your persistent refusal to even seriously consider this 
 position a position I believe I am not overestimating in 
 saying, would be regarded by the average young man as 
 the opportunity of his life." 
 
 "I believe it to be quite all you say, sir." 
 
 "I wish to be relieved of the immediate care and re- 
 sponsibility of my rather extensive mining interests 
 there are too many diversified claims upon my time. 
 Moreover, I realize my limitations. I am not so robust 
 as I was some years back, and I want a vigorous, capa- 
 ble, honest young man to take the field in my place, and 
 to assume the active management of my outside inter- 
 ests. The position is not a difficult one to fill; in fact, 
 the place is ready-made, and a man has but to step into 
 it and keep the wheels in motion. The heavier respon-
 
 72 MISTER BILL 
 
 sibilities devolve upon me, and he has but to work under 
 my supervision. Certainly, young man, you do not think 
 me a hard and disagreeable task-master?" he inquired, 
 with a kindly smile. 
 
 "Believe me, sir, I thoroughly appreciate the honor you 
 do me " 
 
 "Yes ! yes !" interposed Mr. Goddard, "I know all about 
 that. We will assume that the honor I would confer upon 
 you is great. We will also assume that your very pro- 
 found appreciation of that honor prompts you to throw 
 it unhesitatingly over your shoulder. What then ?" 
 
 "To be perfectly frank, Mr. Goddard, I don't think that 
 I am especially well fitted for this particular position. 
 There are plenty of capable young fellows possessing the 
 qualifications you mention plenty, I dare say, who would 
 consider it the opportunity of their lives to step into a 
 ready-made position." 
 
 "I see! I see! A light begins to dawn upon me. 
 And so, young man," he said, looking severely over the 
 tops of his glasses, "you will have none of my ready- 
 made position ; you will fight your own battles ; you will 
 make or break by your own unaided efforts. Am I 
 right?" 
 
 "You have hit the nail just about on the head, sir. I 
 enjoy the work, the excitement of the struggle, and best 
 of all, the satisfaction that comes with success fairly 
 won. I don't mind an occasional set-back, and even a 
 fair and square knock-down is not without its compen- 
 sating features. This life is a great problem, but if it 
 means anything, it means that each man must make his 
 own fight, and develop the best that is in him by an 
 honest struggle with the very difficulties that so many of
 
 NO FLAW 73 
 
 us seek to avoid. I may be wrong sir. That is only my 
 conception of the great scheme, but it's a poor builder 
 who lacks the courage of his convictions, and refuses to 
 work out the plans of his architect according to his best 
 understanding." 
 
 "There is food for reflection in what you say, Mister 
 Bill, even for an old man. I have nothing more to say 
 except that I heartily commend your spirit would that 
 more possessed it in common," he added under his 
 breath. "But what of this important business, young 
 man? What would you have of me?" 
 
 "I would have," replied the young man, appropriat- 
 ing a small figuring tablet, and drawing with careful 
 deliberation the figure five, to which he annexed with 
 equal care several well-defined circles, "I would have," 
 he repeated, as he prefixed the sign of dollars, "a call on 
 that amount for say sixty days," pushing the tablet along 
 the desk in front of the other, "not a cent less," he add- 
 ed, very positively, looking the elder man straight in the 
 eye. 
 
 "Your greatest detractors would never accuse you of 
 littleness of thought or conception, Mister Bill," said 
 the banker, regarding the young man with an amused 
 twinkle in his eyes, after a prolonged scrutiny of the 
 figures. 
 
 "Men think according to their natures the ground 
 hog is not equipped for the flight of the pigeon." 
 
 "All right, Mister Bill, we will see what can be done. 
 When do you leave?" 
 
 "To-night" 
 
 "Oh, Dad ! I have been waiting ever so long for you 
 to finish with Mister Bill. The wheels of commerce must
 
 74 MISTER BILL 
 
 stop for a few minutes," interrupted a laughing voice, 
 as a young woman ushered herself into the office. "How 
 are you, Mister Bill?" she briskly inquired, extending a 
 prettily gloved hand. "I saw you enter the bank as I 
 was driving by. I suppose you are aware, sir, that you 
 are in my bad books I really should not deign to notice 
 you. But that's my forgiving nature it is a downright 
 misfortune to have so little control over oneself," she 
 declared with great good humor. 
 
 "Beware, Mister Bill, how you trespass upon this 
 young woman's good nature. You see how terrible is her 
 displeasure," warned the father. 
 
 "Dear old dad speaks from sad experience," she 
 laughed, seating herself on the arm of his great easy 
 chair. "He is not free from me even in business hours. 
 I am sure, dad, you have talked with Mister Bill quite 
 long enough; you surely cannot have anything more to 
 say to him." 
 
 "Mister Bill has important business, my dear, and he 
 may not be able to give you much of his time " 
 
 "Sir!" she indignantly exclaimed. "Business should 
 never be permitted to interfere with the desires of a young 
 woman. We have been hearing all sorts of strange and 
 wonderful things about you, Mister Bill, and I shall want 
 to know all about them from your own lips. Please go 
 on and finish your business, dad, because I want to carry 
 him off with me." 
 
 "Better go along with her, Mister Bill you will have 
 no peace until you do. Business can be deferred, but not 
 the wishes of this young woman," said Mr. Goddard. 
 "She has a stable full of all kinds of wild and untamed 
 beasts, two or three new rigs, and I don't know what not.
 
 NO FLAW 75 
 
 She won't be satisfied until you have seen the whole cir- 
 cus." 
 
 "Dad knows," she laughed, her eyes sparkling with 
 merriment ; "Dad knows to his sorrow. Your coming 
 is most opportune, Mister Bill. Any number of things 
 are going on, and I am hardly on speaking terms with 
 a man of my acquaintance ; you are a friend in need. . I'll 
 promise you that not a minute shall hang heavily on your 
 hands for a week at least. He simply cannot get away 
 from us, can he dad?" 
 
 "I don't know, my dear. You must make your own 
 arrangements with Mister Bill; he is the one man who 
 pays no attention to your old dad. He has a will of 
 his own. Beware of him, my dear," said Mr. Goddard, 
 with a kindly glance at the young man. 
 
 "Just watch me, dad watch the magical effect of gen- 
 tleness upon a stubborn will," she laughed. 
 
 "If you have any pity on an old man, Mister Bill, you 
 will help him to a chance to catch his breath. I am get- 
 ting rather stiff in the joints to keep up the mad pace this 
 young woman sets for me ; she needs a younger running 
 mate to keep pace with her " 
 
 "Leave Mister Bill to me, dad," she laughingly inter- 
 posed, placing a tiny finger on dad's lips, "and please go 
 on and finish your business as quickly as possible while 
 I wait outside. And mind," shaking a warning finger at 
 the men, "no long stories," with which parting admoni- 
 tion she took her leave. 
 
 "She is all that is left me, Mister Bill ; she is the only 
 ray of sunshine in my life," said Mr. Goddard, with fa- 
 therly pride and gentleness, when the two men were alone. 
 "We have become boon companions ; we understand each
 
 76 MISTER BILL 
 
 other thoroughly. Somehow she seems to care more for 
 her old dad than for any of the young fellows. Don't take 
 her long to size a man up, and when she discovers his 
 weakness, she has little use for him. She goes with me 
 on all my trips to the mines, and she knows more than 
 half the experts; she is of more real value to me than 
 any man I have. She seems to know intuitively a good 
 many things that the rest of us have to work out, and 
 some never do seem to comprehend. If she were a boy, 
 sir, instead of the sunshine of her old dad's heart, he 
 would not have to look far for the man to relieve him of 
 his cares and responsibilities not far, young man." 
 
 "Now, then, I guess we understand each other, Mis- 
 ter Bill," said Mr. Goddard, a few minutes later, rising 
 from his chair, "and I wish you success. Now go out 
 and find that young woman who has designs upon you, 
 before she accuses her old dad of holding you against 
 your will."
 
 CHAPTER IX 
 WOMAN'S INTUITION 
 
 WELL?" queried the young woman of her 
 companion, pulling up her thoroughbred 
 with startling abruptness, as they emerged 
 into the open country beyond the city, and 
 permitting the animal to indulge a more moderate pace. 
 "Well?" she peremptorily repeated, her mood evidently 
 having undergone a decided change during the brisk dash 
 through the town. 
 
 "You drive exceedingly well, even if a trifle recklessly, 
 if you will accept so doubtful a compliment." 
 
 "Nonsense !" she impatiently exclaimed. "I have 
 brought you out here because I wished to talk to you 
 seriously. You did not accept dad's offer?" 
 
 "No." 
 
 "You did well. Had you done so I should have had 
 you ignominiously discharged at the very first oppor- 
 tunity. I am a walking delegate of no mean power in 
 this particular family, I would have you know." 
 
 "Which power you would use unscrupulously?" 
 
 "If need be, yes. You relieved me of a disagreeable 
 duty, and did not disappoint me." 
 
 "I fear I am more fortunate than worthy." 
 
 "Frankly, I think you not less one than the other. You 
 did not disappoint me because I know you." 
 
 77
 
 ;8 MISTER BILL 
 
 "Equally frankly, I believe I have never seriously con- 
 sidered the proposition your father made me." 
 
 "Certainly not there was no need. You took the only 
 course open to you. Had you succumbed to dad's flat- 
 tering inducements had you even hesitated I should 
 have been disappointed in you." 
 
 "With the result?" he questioned, quietly amused at 
 the earnestness of his companion. 
 
 "You would have relegated yourself to the common- 
 place ; simply exchanged your individuality for the pe- 
 cuniary advantages of greater or less value which dad 
 had to offer. I expect I could almost say I demand 
 better things of you," she declared, almost defiantly. 
 
 "Demand?" 
 
 "Yes, demand," she repeated, with even greater em- 
 phasis," in the name of countless helpless creatures of 
 your sex and mine. Such men as you are created 
 for a purpose; you have a well defined work to accom- 
 plish ; a great office to minister to your fellows, and you 
 must not you dare not fail in your duty." 
 
 "You would have me right the wrongs of the down- 
 trodden of my kind?" 
 
 "Yes, so far as lies in your power. The influence of 
 one strong man striving for the welfare of his fellows is 
 a far-reaching power for good a moral strength that 
 prevails against greater numbers and he who possesses 
 it has no right to withhold it." 
 
 "And this is my power my work?" 
 
 "Most assuredly. Don't smile," she protested, with 
 great seriousness. "It is true; you know it not less 
 than I ; you need no interpreter ; you know it in the very 
 'consciousness of your strength the very strength that
 
 WOMAN'S INTUITION 79 
 
 left you no alternative but to refuse dad's offer." 
 
 "This affair of the present?" she questioned, after an 
 interval of silence, regarding him intently. "You will 
 win in the end?" 
 
 "Yes." 
 
 "I have not considered the possibility of your failure. 
 A grave responsibility rests upon you greater perhaps, 
 than you are aware, and you must win. Not for your 
 sake or mine, but because it is right that you should." 
 
 "I believe that element, at least, is arrayed on my 
 side." 
 
 "It is not right that such shameful methods, such un- 
 scrupulous men should succeed they must not. Even 
 now they are congratulating themselves on the success 
 of their latest stratagem, as they are pleased to term 
 it, and impatiently awaiting the time when they may 
 take possession of the Properties and despoil you and 
 your associates and hundreds of innocent stockholders of 
 their rights." 
 
 "I am well aware of their intentions they have not 
 been at any pains to conceal them." 
 
 "Oh, no !" she laughed, coldly cynical, in answer to his 
 smile of amused inquiry, "I am kept particularly well in- 
 formed. I believe that nothing of importance relative to 
 your financial dissolution has been allowed to escape 
 me." 
 
 "My obituary seems to have preceded me." 
 
 "Which does not seem to cause you any great con- 
 cern," she replied, regarding him curiously. 
 
 "No. I read between the lines the real obituary lies 
 there. Your father has also been kept in touch with the 
 progress of events, I presume ?"
 
 8o MISTER BILL 
 
 "Oh, yes ! Dad has been equally well informed, but 
 for some reason not quite clear to me he seems to de- 
 rive considerable quiet amusement from the general sit- 
 uation. Have you been able to discover any considerable 
 vein of humor in the mass of complexities in which you 
 are involved?" she demanded, giving him a searching 
 glance. 
 
 "No. Yet it may exist. Your father is a man of more 
 than ordinary discernment." 
 
 "So it would seem," she said, with considerable spirit, 
 apparently not entirely satisfied with his reply. "Dad 
 says that those with whom you have had to deal up to the 
 present time are only the cat's-paw, and when you un- 
 cover the real enemy you will discover some pretty big 
 guns too big to be openly identified with the dirty work 
 they have been engaged in." 
 
 "Yes, without a doubt the real power is vested in a 
 coterie of New York financiers who, for obvious reasons, 
 could not afford to lend their names to such disreputable 
 methods as have been employed, even though they were 
 entirely willing to share the spoils. Who they are, I have 
 no means of knowing at this distance, as they have kept 
 well under cover." 
 
 "What do you intend to do how do you expect to 
 reach them?" she inquired, with considerable interest. 
 
 "I shall drive them into the open and compel them to 
 fight under their true colors man to man and then " 
 
 "And then?" she repeated, as he paused a moment. 
 
 "Then I hope I shall not disappoint you," he said, 
 more seriously than he had yet spoken. 
 
 "You will not disappoint me even were you to fail in 
 your first attempt " she quietly replied. "Failure does
 
 WOMAN'S INTUITION 81 
 
 not mean defeat to you ; it only means another and a 
 more determined effort to accomplish the task you have 
 set for yourself a greater satisfaction in your ultimate 
 triumph." 
 
 "Beware lest your faith prove my undoing," he admon- 
 ished. 
 
 "I would have you win no hollow victory," she pro- 
 tested. "I would have you fight to win. I would have 
 your success an unqualified triumph over the corrupt and 
 villainous practices of your opponents, that they and all 
 the world might know that a man may be true to him- 
 self and still be accounted a successful man. Such a vic- 
 tory will be a blessing to all mankind a great moral 
 triumph that only men like you can win." 
 
 "I believe that is what makes the struggle really in- 
 teresting all that makes it really worth while," he was 
 forced to admit. 
 
 "I wanted you to know that I understand that I ap- 
 prove. Dad understands, but only in part. He thinks 
 that you are ambitious to accomplish certain results in 
 your own way, and does not look beyond the surface. 
 Others will understand you even less. But you do not 
 seek the applause of your fellows, and when you have 
 satisfied yourself, you will have won a greater approval 
 than any which the world has to offer." 
 
 "I have already received the first fruits of victory, in 
 your confidence and approval " 
 
 "And now," she laughed, cutting short his reply, "I 
 shall cease probing into the privacy of your inner con- 
 sciousness and take you home to luncheon and convince 
 dad that I am not in a base conspiracy with the enemy 
 to make way with you. I shall then consider myself re-
 
 82 MISTER BILL 
 
 lieved of all responsibility and permit you to go your 
 way." 
 
 That night he sent a brief but expressive message to 
 his comrades at the mines, which read as follows: 
 
 "Stand pat ammunition all right. Bill."
 
 CHAPTER X 
 WHEN MEN ARE TEMPTED 
 
 IN a quiet corner of the cafe of an uptown hotel, in the 
 great metropolis, two men were seated at a table. The 
 elder man had little to say, although it was apparent 
 that his occasional brief remarks were directing the 
 trend of the conversation. His companion, a young man 
 in the early twenties, was laboring under a great stress 
 of mental emotion, and making but a feeble effort to par- 
 take of the food set before him. 
 
 "You don't know me, sir!" he suddenly cried, staring 
 wildly and uncertainly at the other. "I have betrayed 
 a trust! I I am a thief! What's that? Who dares 
 say Jack Winston is a thief? Ah, yes, it is true terribly 
 true ! I no longer know the sound of my own voice my 
 brain is numb. And you you, sir, are not surprised?" 
 
 "No." 
 
 "I knew it ! And why not, when one has only to look 
 on my face and see every letter of the word burned into 
 my very flesh." 
 
 "Your fevered brain is playing you strange pranks," 
 said the elder man, with kindly compassion. 
 
 "Why do you permit me to remain here and contami- 
 nate the very air you breathe ?" he desperately demanded. 
 "Why don't you order me kicked into the street or shall 
 I take myself off, and save you the trouble?" 
 
 83
 
 84 MISTER BILL 
 
 "No. You are going to tell me the cause of your dis- 
 tress I brought you here for that purpose." 
 
 "But you you, sir, are a stranger to me!" cried the 
 youth, incredulously. "You cannot possibly be inter- 
 ested in me or my troubles. Why am I here? What 
 have I said? What am I doing?" he cried, despairingly. 
 "Oh, it is all a hideous nightmare! Will the awaken- 
 ing never come?" 
 
 "The awakening has already come to you, my boy ; it 
 is oblivion you sadly need. Your mental machinery is 
 racing beyond your control you have lost your balance, 
 and must unburden your overwrought mind to restore 
 the equilibrium. Now, then," he said, his kindly voice 
 vibrating the assurance of his sincerity, "what is it all 
 about?" 
 
 "Ah, sir, it is the same old story," said the poor fel- 
 low, with hesitating and painful reluctance, "you can 
 read it in the paper by your side; it was the same yes- 
 terday it will be the same to-morrow. I thought I could 
 make money quickly. Men all about me made hundreds 
 and thousands in a day an hour why not I? Oh! it 
 makes me sick at heart to tell this same old story you 
 know so well. I helped them make their money handled 
 it for them was enveloped in the very atmosphere of 
 excitement and success. I breathed it, and became intox- 
 icated. Yes, I would take a hand in the game just a 
 small hand. I would be satisfied with a little where oth- 
 ers reached out for thousands. For a few days all went 
 well. I could see visions of the happy home I had planned 
 and dreamed of growing nearer and brighter. A little 
 more risk, and a short cut across the years of monot- 
 onous toil before me nothing venture, nothing have.
 
 WHEN MEN ARE TEMPTED 85 
 
 Ah, sir ! those words that have stilled for the moment the 
 small protesting voice within. Only a thousand but 
 one of the many thousands lying idle, and no harm to use 
 for a day or two. The market took a sudden turn, and 
 the great wave that had been carrying all before it to suc- 
 cess and riches, suddenly faltered, turned, and began 
 to recede. But it would return immediately surely, 
 surely, it must come back. Another thousand to protect 
 the first another, to save the two. You, sir, know the 
 rest. The tide never turned, and before I could release 
 myself from its grasp four thousand dollars had been 
 swept away. Not a large sum, to be sure, but not a 
 penny of it was mine, and it might as well be ten times 
 the amount I am powerless to make it good. The loss 
 may be discovered at any moment, and I I but you 
 must be weary of me and my wretched story." 
 
 "Novelty is rarely a conspicuous feature of wretch- 
 edness. Who suffers with you?" 
 
 "Oh, sir! if I alone could suffer the consequences of 
 my folly. The thought that beats on my brain with every 
 heart throb and vibrates through my whole being, is the 
 shame and anguish that I have brought upon those dear 
 to me. In spite of my boasted strength and the example 
 so often before me ; in spite of the duty I owed my dear 
 old mother, and her faithful teachings God knows she 
 taught me well and true, and her heart would break 
 if she knew that I had even been tempted ; and my sister, 
 who believes the heavens would fall before her brother 
 could forget his honor; and one one to whom I owe 
 more than life itself, and who would rather see me dead 
 than dishonored ; yet, in spite of all I am no better than 
 the fellow of the streets who snatches a purse and sneaks
 
 86 MISTER BILL 
 
 away. To-night I had been haunting the docks, wander- 
 ing into low saloons, sailors' boarding-houses, and the 
 dirty tenement districts on the water front. The places 
 I loathe seemed to possess a strange fascination for me. 
 I envied the drunken sailors ; laughed at their brawls and 
 curses, and cursed back at them. Why I was permitted to 
 leave their vile haunts alive is more than I can under- 
 stand. It was the irony of fate, for I should have wel- 
 comed a blow to quiet my throbbing brain, or a knife 
 thrust to still my aching heart ; but even that was denied 
 me. I envied the little ragged urchins of the street, and 
 would gladly have exchanged places with them. Even the 
 meanest and slimiest things that crawled and slunk into 
 their holes seemed better than I ; they were at least true 
 to their natures, while I had forfeited the right to mine, 
 and all that made life worth the living. I had twice 
 walked down the docks and looked into the black waters, 
 but each time I saw three faces looking up at me out of 
 the darkness below, and heard the same accusing voice 
 calling me coward coward and I slowly retraced my 
 steps. I think I was gradually losing my mind. The 
 terrible throbbing in my head seemed to create strange 
 fancies. Then I ran against you, for I took small heed of 
 my steps. Your voice aroused me from my trance or 
 stupor. That you were a detective was my first intelli- 
 gible thought, and I think I felt rather a relief ; but a sec- 
 ond glance, your grip, and the people coming from the 
 ferry, told me that you were a traveler. I was starting 
 on with a mumbled apology for running you down, when 
 you took me by the arm, and said that I seemed rather 
 out of sorts and had better ride up town with you. I 
 hesitated an instant, and then stepped into your cab and
 
 WHEN MEN ARE TEMPTED 87 
 
 well, here I am, without any volition of my own, and 
 simply doing your bidding. You have been good to me, 
 sir ; you have finished your dinner and I I must be go- 
 ing. Good night, sir." 
 
 ********* 
 
 Standing before the long glass doors of a brilliantly- 
 lighted living room, a young miss gazed steadfastly out 
 into the night. Her left hand, with forefinger inserted 
 in a book, rested on her hip, while the fingers of her 
 right hand toyed impatiently with the long beaded chain 
 hanging about her neck. Suddenly starting from her rev- 
 erie, she glanced at a clock on the mantel industriously 
 ticking the minutes away, and compared the hour with 
 the little timepiece nestling in her belt. Evidently little 
 satisfaction was derived from the comparison, as she 
 glanced impatiently at the other occupants of the room, 
 heaved a very large sigh for so little a girl, and again 
 directed her attention outwards. 
 
 "No sign of them yet, my dear ?" inquired the mother, 
 looking up from her sewing. "They will soon be here, 
 I am sure," she added, by way of encouragement to the 
 impatient watcher. 
 
 "Oh, dear! Who first discovered that patience was a 
 virtue a man I'll wager," petulantly retorted the young 
 miss. 
 
 "At all events, it is a virtue, my dear," said the mother, 
 with gentle reproval. 
 
 "I have simply been counting the minutes since tea, 
 and the hands just seem to creep around the face of that 
 hateful little clock and it's such a small face, too," she 
 protested, contemplating the offending timepiece as if 
 that particular dial might speed the minutes faster were
 
 88 MISTER BILL 
 
 it better disposed. "And besides, they may not come 
 after all men are so very uncertain." 
 
 "Why, Edith, has your very brief experience with the 
 world made you a cynic?" inquired the last occupant of 
 the room, glancing up from her work with a smile of 
 amused surprise. 
 
 "I must say I have my doubts sometimes, Maude. 
 Somehow a girl seems forever going the opposite way to 
 the rest of the world it's positively dizzying." 
 
 "The world goes its way regardless of fine distinctions 
 and womanly ideals, my dear," said Maude, a little more 
 seriously," and when one of our ideals is shattered, we 
 immediately set up another it is a woman's preroga- 
 tive." 
 
 "I am beginning to think that girls' ideals are awfully 
 soap-bubbly things anyway. They just grow and grow 
 until they seem to radiate all the colors of the rainbow, 
 and when you think them quite perfect zip ! they burst 
 before your very eyes. But they are rather nice while 
 they last," she admitted, with evident reluctance. 
 
 "Have some of your fine bubbles burst, dear?" in- 
 quired Maude, with kindly interest. 
 
 "Indeed they have !" spiritedly replied the young miss, 
 "and now I just naturally expect the zip ! I put all my 
 bubbles into my diary a record of men, if you please 
 their deeds and misdeeds," she explained quite seriously. 
 
 "You have reduced mankind to a system of ledger foot- 
 ings, and can tell the face value of the individual at 
 sight?" inquired Maude. 
 
 "Indeed I can! Some boys and men, too seem to 
 think they are making a great impression on a girl by 
 promising all sorts of things ; a sailing party, a drive, a
 
 WHEN MEN ARE TEMPTED 89 
 
 book, a box of candy, or a bunch of violets, and the 
 thought never seems to occur to them that the girl may 
 be silly enough to take them seriously. But you know 
 yourself, Maude Spencer, that a girl never forgets. She 
 just waits and waits, until each little violet becomes as 
 large as a chrysanthemum, and when they don't come, 
 and still don't come, the} begin to grow smaller and 
 smaller until they get to be mighty small, but not nearly 
 so small as the man in her estimation. So now when a 
 man or a boy fails to keep his promise, away he goes on 
 to the black-list, and I don't recognize him cut him dead 
 and he does not get a second chance to fool Edith 
 Winston not if she knows it." 
 
 "You are right, my dear," laughed Maude, "a girl does 
 remember. Perhaps if she remembered and believed less 
 she might be saved many disappointments," she added, 
 more soberly. 
 
 "My dear," gently interposed the mother, "you must re- 
 member that you have a brother, and I am sure you 
 would not wish to be disloyal to him." 
 
 "Dear old Jack, of course not! but he is a man, and 
 all men leave a great deal to be desired according to my 
 ideas," replied the young philosopher, with a sly glance 
 at Maude. 
 
 "Where did the child get such ideas ?" exclaimed Mrs, 
 Winston, quite startled at this display of worldly wis- 
 dom. "I am sure, my dear, I have ever led you to believe 
 that many men are good and noble, and to be the wife of 
 such a man is as great a happiness as you are destined 
 to know." 
 
 "Yes, mama, you have. Most girls are led to believe that 
 men are very superior creatures, and to secure one for
 
 90 MISTER BILL 
 
 a husband, the great desideratum the grand finale of our 
 lives," a demure bow and sweeping movement of the arm 
 lending additional emphasis to the grandeur of the pos- 
 sibilities. "We must do this, because men like that sort 
 of thing ; we must not do that, because their lordships 
 might object; we must consider their likes and dislikes, 
 and make their will our law ; in short, cease to exist 
 only as our lives may bestow some greater benefaction 
 upon our lords and masters. And when we say our pray- 
 ers, we know not whether to ask first for our daily bread 
 or a husband." 
 
 "Edith, this is shameful!" 
 
 "Indeed it is, mama," replied this sad minx, knowing 
 full well that she was misinterpreting the intent of her 
 mother's protest, "and the result is," she continued, with 
 profound assurance, "the men are placed on a pedestal 
 and girls are graciously permitted to gather around and 
 burn incense at the masculine shrine." 
 
 "I must confess to some enlightenment on this partic- 
 ular subject, my dear," said Mrs. Winston, regarding her 
 daughter with scant approval. 
 
 "It is quite true, mama, and when the heads of the 
 poor men have been sufficiently turned with the sense 
 of their very great importance down they drop one after 
 another and are finally carried away in triumph to the 
 
 tune of " and here the young miss seated herself at the 
 
 piano and proceeded to bring forth, rather more energet- 
 ically than artistically, the strains of a familiar wedding 
 march. 
 
 "That will do, Edith!" peremptorily interposed Mrs. 
 Winston, abruptly terminating this sacrilegious demon- 
 stration. "Your mother requires time to reflect upon the
 
 WHEN MEN ARE TEMPTED 91 
 
 very superior knowledge possessed by her daughter," and 
 addressing Maude for the benefit of the arch conspirator, 
 who was silenced, if not subdued, said: "It is extremely 
 embarrassing, not to say humiliating, to suddenly discover 
 that one is not keeping pace with one's daughter in world- 
 ly matters. Verily the blind lead the blind." 
 
 Not many minutes elapsed, however, before the 
 thoughts of the young miss again found audible expres- 
 sion. "Just the same, I don't think that Jack has behaved 
 very well. He has not been home for three weeks and I 
 think he might have come sooner." 
 
 "You must remember, my dear, that your brother is now 
 a man with duties and responsibilities which demand his 
 first consideration. Business is a severe taskmaster, and 
 I am sure he is coming home at the very first opportunity 
 his duties permit. Besides," her eyes resting tenderly 
 upon Maude, "we know the very great incentive he now 
 has to put forth his very best efforts the highest and 
 noblest in a man's life to make a home for the woman 
 he loves, and win an honorable place among men that 
 she may be proud of her husband. And when Jack is 
 compelled to be away from those he loves to accomplish 
 all this, we must help him to be brave, and not add our 
 little worries to his. I am sure he will succeed, and you, 
 my dear, are as anxious to assist him, and will be as 
 proud of his success as any of us." 
 
 "Of course I am, and of course I will !" exclaimed true 
 blue little sister. "Jack is just the dearest and best broth- 
 er in the whole world and Maude is the luckiest girl to 
 get him, she had better know, and I am jealous very 
 jealous indeed." And to show how very terribly the 
 green-eyed monster possessed her dear little self, she
 
 92 MISTER BILL 
 
 leaned over the back of Maude's chair, and laying her 
 fresh young face against the conscious flushes of Jack's 
 affianced wife, informed her that she would heaps rather 
 have her for a sister than any girl she ever knew, which 
 declaration of peace and good will was duly ratified and 
 sealed according to prescribed feminine form. 
 
 "Yes," gasped Maude, when she had been released 
 from the suffocating embrace of the young impulsive, "I 
 know that I am a very lucky girl, for there is not a 
 truer or a better man in the world than Jack. He is work- 
 ing so hard to make a home and position in the world, I 
 sometimes feel that I am not worthy of such untiring and 
 unselfish devotion. He tells me his plans and his ambi- 
 tions Oh, they are so glowing ! and he is so happy and 
 light-hearted. And then when everything seems to 
 go wrong, and he becomes just a little discouraged, I do 
 so long for the time when I can help him to bear his dis- 
 appointments." 
 
 And the mother's voice was tender, and her eyes were 
 dim, as she folded the younger woman in her arms, and 
 declared that her boy had chosen well that she would 
 not have had it otherwise had the choice been with her. 
 And then Maude pressed a kiss upon the dear old lips of 
 Jack's mother, and told her how happy she was ; how she 
 had feared at times just the tiniest bit, you know that 
 his mother might not approve; that she might have 
 other hopes and plans for her boy, and she was almost 
 afraid to say yes, when Jack had asked her to be his wife. 
 Thereupon the mother protested with great seriousness, 
 that her fondest hopes had been that her boy would 
 choose a good and true woman for his helpmate regard- 
 less of wealth and station, as she did not believe that riches
 
 WHEN MEN ARE TEMPTED 93 
 
 or position made happiness. That the best riches a young 
 couple could possess were love and confidence in each 
 other, and with good health they would soon gather 
 worldly goods and find happiness in so doing ; for in her 
 poor opinion, real happiness was to be found, not alone in 
 having achieved a desired position, but in the effort of 
 achieving at least that had been the experience of Jack's 
 father and mother. 
 
 "I have done my duty by my boy as I have seen it, and 
 when he was left without a father's care and guidance, I 
 felt that a greater responsibility rested upon me. I have 
 taught him to be truthful and honest, and to hold himself 
 above the petty meannesses of smaller natures ; I have 
 impressed upon him the respect and consideration due our 
 sex. I have tried to mould his character so that it might 
 be invulnerable to the shafts of temptation for which his 
 youth and inexperience would be a shining mark. Yet, 
 when he went out into the world, and into the great city, 
 I feared for his strength, feared lest there might be some 
 weak spot that my ignorance of the world had not prop- 
 erly protected, and there is never a night but I pray that 
 God may give him strength to resist temptation, and to 
 remain good and unsullied from the contact with his fel- 
 lows. I felt that an added strength and a greater incen- 
 tive to be true to himself had been given him, and that 
 another class of temptation had been removed from his 
 path, when you became a part of his life, his hopes, and 
 his ambitions, my dear. No one knows the feelings of a 
 mother none but a mother can know that waking or 
 sleeping but one image is in her thoughts, and her whole 
 life radiates around that one dear form. But I have done 
 my best, my dear, and I cannot think that after all my
 
 94 MISTER BILL 
 
 care and teachings no, I will not believe that my boy 
 can so far forget the duty he owes himself, his mother, his 
 sister, and now his affianced wife, as to be untrue to his 
 manhood. But if that should ever happen, it will not be 
 because he has not been forewarned and forearmed, but 
 because, after all, he is only my boy, and but a man who 
 overestimated his strength, only to find himself weak, and 
 the current strong." And here the good woman suddenly 
 recalled that she was dwelling too long and too gloomily 
 upon the subject nearest her heart, and, smiling upon her 
 interested listener, declared that she was borrowing need- 
 less trouble, for did they not know that their Jack would 
 never fail them ! Ah, no her king could do no wrong ! 
 
 It was ever so may it ever be. This gentle and 
 kindly soul with whitening locks and wrinkled brow, 
 looking back over years weighing heavily against the 
 allotted span ; this fresh young soul, buoyant and hopeful 
 of the life to come the dawning light and the setting 
 sun. 
 
 From cradle to grave in sickness and in health in 
 adversity and in prosperity in joy and in sorrow the 
 gentle spirit of woman watches over the destiny of man, 
 asking no greater boon than to applaud his successes, 
 laugh when he is gay, cheer him in misfortune, or cool 
 his fevered brow. Ah! gentle soul, you are the better 
 half of man the inspiration of his better deeds the 
 incentive to greater and higher aspirations ; and even the 
 crowns of kings or laurel wreaths of heroes shed no 
 brighter lustre than the love with which you crown your 
 king.
 
 CHAPTER XI 
 THOSE WHO WATCH AND WAIT 
 
 I AM very much interested in Mr. Waldron," de- 
 clared the little maid, who had maintained a discreet 
 silence during this very serious conversation, but not 
 for an instant relinquishing her watchfulness. 
 
 "Really? And how long has this serious state of af- 
 fairs existed?" inquired Maude. 
 
 "Ever since Jack began to write about him. You are 
 interested in Jack, I may be interested in Mr. Waldron, 
 may I not?" 
 
 "To be sure, my dear," laughed Maude. "We are all 
 very much interested in Mr. Waldron we have quite 
 given him a place in the family circle. You will share 
 him with us just the littlest mite, will you not?" 
 
 "Well, anyway, I am very curious and impatient," she 
 truthfully added. 
 
 "Perhaps, after all, you may be disappointed " 
 
 "Subject to acceptance only on approval returnable if 
 not entirely satisfactory," interposed the young miss. 
 
 "I hope Jack is not mistaken in the man," said Mrs. 
 Winston, with a mother's concern for the associates of 
 her boy. "Jack is sometimes over enthusiastic concern- 
 ing his friends, and an older man generally possesses 
 considerable influence over a younger man for good or 
 ill." 
 
 95
 
 96 MISTER BILL 
 
 "I hope he does not smoke cigarettes, and has a mus- 
 tache, and is big and strong, and is not a bubble," inter- 
 jected the irrepressible. 
 
 "Why, Edith! Why do you say such things?" remon- 
 strated her mother. 
 
 "Well, mama, I just can't stand this suspense any 
 longer I just have to say things !" 
 
 For a moment her impatience gave way to curiosity, 
 and she wondered where Jack had met this new friend, 
 and why he was bringing a comparative stranger down 
 to their quiet country home. "Because," she explained, 
 "Jack says he is from the West plains and mountains 
 and that sort of thing and at best he must be a species 
 of cowboy a diamond in the rough, perhaps," as her 
 brother was wont to designate some of his friends. On 
 second thought, such a possibility was regarded with 
 rather more favor. He could surely tell her no end of 
 stories very real stories but her chatter was brought to 
 a sudden termination, and with a cry of "Here they are !" 
 she dashed out into the darkness, fortunately for her 
 ladyship, taking the precaution of opening the glass doors 
 before passing through. Presently she came trooping 
 back, one arm around her brother, the other carrying his 
 grip, his hat perched on the back of her own little head, 
 laughing and talking in the same breath she had got her 
 Jack. 
 
 The young man greeted his mother and sweetheart as 
 became a dutiful son and devoted lover, and then pro- 
 ceeded to introduce the stranger, who had followed leis- 
 urely after. He would relieve the introduction of all 
 formality would Jack and declared his mother to be 
 the dearest and best of mothers ; and Maude, the sweetest
 
 THOSE WHO WATCH AND WAIT 97 
 
 of sweethearts ; and catching Edith in his arms, gave her 
 a resounding smack, and assured the stranger that she 
 was the darlingest sister a fellow ever had, which seemed 
 not to surprise or embarrass that young lady in the least. 
 
 Mrs. Winston greeted the stranger with cordial hand- 
 clasp and assurance of welcome, which he modestly ac- 
 knowledged. With blushes suffusing her fair face, and a 
 mien not entirely free from embarrassment maidenly 
 modesty not being in full accord with Jack's extravagant 
 informality Maude graciously added her welcome. "You 
 must pardon Jack's enthusiasm," she said, with a smile 
 reflecting the cordiality of her greeting, "and believe that 
 the welcome of his little home circle is quite as sincere 
 as are his superlatives." 
 
 Warm welcome indeed, for Jack was nothing if not 
 sincere in his expressions of love for those near and dear 
 to him. Still retaining the little hand in his strong 
 muscular grasp, and looking down into eyes reflecting 
 the sincerity of the words just uttered, "Superlatives give 
 adequate expression only, upon occasion Jack chooses 
 well," he said. It was not flattery nor form of speech. 
 Each knew that the other was merely honest ; each recog- 
 nized in the other the innate qualities of manhood and 
 womanhood speaking as plainly one to the other as the 
 simple words of greeting. Lucky fellow to call this man 
 friend twice lucky to win this woman's love. 
 
 The youngest member had withdrawn somewhat apart 
 from the group, where she calmly contemplated the for- 
 malities of greeting, and the stranger in particular. To 
 be sure, the first step was to look the guest over care- 
 fully and discover his possibilities ; or, if he were quite 
 impossible, why, very well, this young woman would
 
 98 MISTER BILL 
 
 promptly wash her small hands of all responsibility of 
 whatsoever kind or character. Jack brought him down 
 and Jack may entertain him so there ! The first impres- 
 sion seemed not entirely favorable to the stranger, all 
 unconscious of the ordeal through which he was passing, 
 and a look of disappointment might have been discerned 
 on the young face. He was not a cow-boy, or even dis- 
 tantly related to one that was easily apparent; but just 
 a plain every-day man. No novelty in that pooh ! And 
 yet, was she quite sure? The little miss was a keen 
 observer, and something about the man who had so un- 
 assumingly, yet with a certain dignity and self-possession 
 taken his place in the little family circle, told her that this 
 was a type of man new to her, and after all, even if he 
 were not a wild and woolly Westerner, he might possess 
 possibilities. Perhaps he could do things Oh, very 
 great things ! She simply adored a strong man who was 
 master of himself and of men did this little woman in 
 which respect she was one with the great feminine heart. 
 
 Jack was quick to note the very profound attention 
 with which his sister regarded the stranger, and rightly 
 surmised the general trend of her thoughts. "Well, Sis, 
 I am sure that Mr. Waldron would be very much em- 
 barrassed were he aware of the very particular attention 
 being paid him by a certain young lady," he told her, 
 rudely interrupting very serious meditations. 
 
 If brother had thought to embarrass little sister, the 
 tables were likely to be well turned upon him. With- 
 out the slightest hestitation or suggestion of confusion 
 rather apologetically, if you please she replied, "Well, I 
 believe I was just a little disappointed at first, because I 
 expected to meet a real and truly Westerner. But on
 
 THOSE WHO WATCH AND WAIT 99 
 
 the whole I rather prefer Mr. Waldron just as he is, and 
 I hope we shall be very good friends." And suiting her 
 action to her words, she proceeded to take the initiative, 
 perhaps as a gentle guarantee of good faith, and with a 
 mien of quiet self-possession, advanced to where that 
 gentleman was sitting, and explained that she would 
 shake hands again, if he pleased, as it appeared there 
 had been a misunderstanding. And that gentleman, 
 nothing loath, rose very soberly, took the little hand in 
 his, and expressed great satisfaction on his part. 
 
 The gentlemen properly welcomed, the young ladies 
 suddenly bethought themselves of a promise to look in 
 at "a little informal," near by, and insisting that they 
 did not require escort, nor need the gentlemen call for 
 them, as they should return with Mrs. Davidge, "Who, 
 by the way, Jack, is paying us a visit," explained sister, 
 and promising not to be long, "Just to look in," from 
 Maude, disappeared with swish of skirts and laughing 
 voices. Mrs. Winston also retired almost immediately, 
 leaving the men temporarily to their own devices.
 
 CHAPTER XII 
 A YELLOW STREAK? 
 
 JACK watched the dear old form of his mother as 
 she passed from the room, and for a moment 
 stood gazing blankly at the door which hid her 
 from his sight. Suddenly, with a moan, as if 
 stricken by a leaden missile, he sank into a chair, and 
 bowing his head covered his face with his hands; his 
 frame, convulsed with the tumult of emotion, seemed to 
 slowly shrink within itself. For a moment he seemed 
 to have lost complete control of himself, but by a strong 
 effort he pulled himself together, and looking up at his 
 friend, his voice trembling with emotion, "Forgive me, 
 old fellow," he cried, "I did not intend to give way in 
 this manner, but the meaning of the whole thing seemed 
 suddenly to fall upon me with crushing weight, and it 
 simply took me off my feet" 
 
 Truly one could not look upon that face without pity, 
 for only suffering, nay, only the anguish of a tortured 
 soul, could leave such marks upon the flesh. The quick 
 eye of the mother had long since discovered that some- 
 thing was amiss with her boy, which even his forced 
 gayety could not veil from her sight. " Tis nothing 
 nothing, indeed but a little overwork that a day or two 
 at home will set right," and sweetheart tells sister, "Jack 
 is working too hard it's a shame indeed, it is !" 
 
 100
 
 A YELLOW STREAK? 101 
 
 "Never mind, old chap," said the elder man, encourag- 
 ingly, "I understand your feelings, and am not surprised 
 that you threw up your hands for the moment. But you 
 must brace up. It is all over now, and you are going 
 to begin anew and make a clean sheet this time," and 
 slightly raising the young fellow's head, and looking 
 into his eyes, "Isn't that right?" he asked, with a kindly 
 smile. 
 
 "Yes, yes ! God knows I am going to begin anew, and 
 with his help I shall make a clean sheet this time, for if 
 I were to live a thousand years I could never forget the 
 torture I have endured. But when I think how near I 
 came to sacrificing everything on earth dear to me, and 
 was saved only by a miracle a miracle, do you under- 
 stand? I tremble from sheer weakness. And they say 
 that the days of miracles are past. Good friend!" he 
 cried, impulsively grasping the other by the hand, "to 
 you I owe everything that I possess, or ever can possess ; 
 but for you I should be even now in a felon's cell, dis- 
 graced and despised by the world, and an object of pity 
 and shame to those whose lives I had ruined. Oh, it 
 drives me mad to think of it !" 
 
 "Don't think of it. Think of the good resolves you 
 have made and live them." 
 
 "You have never told me why you did all this for me," 
 said Jack, with some hesitation. "You promised to tell 
 me some time. You must not think me impatient. I 
 know you will tell me when you feel inclined, and all in 
 good time. Besides," smiling wanly, "you have never 
 lectured me, and I am prepared to take that also when 
 it suits your pleasure." 
 
 Once twice thrice the elder man paced slowly back
 
 102 MISTER BILL 
 
 and forth across the room before being moved to speech. 
 "You are right, Jack," he finally said, "I did promise you 
 an explanation it is your due; and as well now as 
 another time, I dare say. This miracle, as you are 
 pleased to term it, is really a very simple matter." 
 
 Taking another turn across the room, and then care- 
 lessly, as if the matter were hardly worthy of serious 
 consideration, or perhaps to change the current of the 
 young fellow's thoughts, he continued : "You know me 
 as from the West yet I am not Western born. Some- 
 thing less than half my life has been cast in the wild and 
 sparsely settled sections of the West, with companions 
 no less rough than the country itself. It is a hard fight 
 at best. Old Dame Fortune and Miss-Fortune wage a 
 never ending struggle for supremacy. Rich to-day 
 perhaps, and away to the bad to-morrow without a 
 moment's warning. But it is all a part of the life, and 
 you pick yourself up, pull yourself together, and go at it 
 again. I have looked starvation in the face, and had the 
 gaunt old spectre for company much too long upon 
 several occasions, and the regulation misfortunes have 
 fallen to me without particular partiality, I think I may 
 say without undue exaggeration. With these same mis- 
 fortunes and privations comes a more generous and 
 magnanimous feeling for our fellows, and when we see 
 a poor chap in hard luck or in distress, we give him a lift. 
 A man never knows how soon the positions may be 
 reversed, but he does know that the best and surest way 
 to deserve a good turn himself, is to treat the other 
 fellow just about as he would like to be treated under 
 similar circumstances. Simple sort of theory, yet after 
 all, pretty good philosophy, and not a bad religion if
 
 A YELLOW STREAK? 103 
 
 one is casting about for a creed its simplicity recom- 
 mends it. So, then, to those rough fellows of the plains 
 and mountains, it becomes a part of their better natures 
 to offer a lift or a life, if necessity demands, and one is 
 not more freely offered than the other. 
 
 "How did I come to give you a lift? I will tell you. 
 This unfortunate experience, new to you, is an old story 
 to me. Too many times have I seen men, young and 
 old, come into mining-camps and the frontier towns, 
 stake and lose their money. Perhaps the wages of a 
 season or two, carefully hoarded for some particular pur- 
 pose; proceeds from the sale of a mine the results of 
 months and perhaps years of labor, suffering and priva- 
 tion ; a drove of cattle, one thing or another, it matters 
 not. It is bad enough if a man has gambled away his 
 own money, but the poor devil deprived of even this 
 solace is miserable indeed. After that point is reached, 
 they are much the same, differing only in minor details. 
 The night I saw you at the docks, I recognized your 
 condition at a glance. Your white face, haggard and 
 drawn, the unnatural glitter in your eyes, told me the 
 story as plainly as words. I said to myself, this young 
 fellow is a hard loser, and needs looking after. You ran 
 into me because I stood in your way, and permitted you 
 to butt up against me. When you had finished your 
 story, the whole thing seemed perfectly clear to me. I 
 saw the happiness the lives of four people balanced 
 against four thousand dollars. A thousand dollars a life ! 
 It seemed too great a sacrifice. Lives are worth more 
 than a thousand dollars such lives as I felt sure were at 
 stake in this instance. I was satisfied that you had told 
 me the truth, at least I was willing to gamble a little
 
 104 MISTER BILL 
 
 myself on the general proposition, and merely, as a small 
 precaution, to feel that I was at least getting a run for 
 my money, wished to assure myself that you were in the 
 employ of the brokerage firm you mentioned, and that 
 I easily ascertained next day." 
 
 "Ah! good friend, it is all very simple, and yet yet I 
 am unable to grasp the full significance of your generous 
 deed," cried the young man, tears rolling down his pale 
 face. 
 
 "I could not well have done less under the circum- 
 stances. I am something of a coward. Most of us have 
 a yellow streak in our make-up and I am no exception. I 
 would not dare fact, I literally would not dare to have 
 in my keeping the power to save four lives, or what I am 
 pleased to consider their equivalent, and withhold that 
 power merely for the sake of a few paltry dollars that 
 I had dug from the earth. I should fully expect, sooner 
 or later, in one way or another, to pay even a greater 
 price for my cowardice. Now you know it all. I shall 
 not lecture you, as I believe you have suffered sufficiently 
 to teach you a lesson for all time. If not, no words of 
 mine will impress you. I intend to keep you in sight, 
 and the settlement I finally make with you will depend 
 much upon yourself." 
 
 That the young man was at first deeply interested in 
 the explanation that seemed to involve such an air of 
 mystery, was plainly apparent. That his interest quickly 
 developed into a distinct admiration for the man speaking 
 so carelessly and indifferently of his life, and the motives 
 which actuated him, was no less apparent. Here was a 
 process of reasoning and a type of man new to him. 
 Here was a man who showed him the littleness and nar-
 
 A YELLOW STREAK? 105 
 
 rowness of his own life. Here was a man who had 
 struggled had been beaten, but not cowed ; a man who 
 had suffered want and privation, adversity and tempta- 
 tion ; who had faced death in many forms ; yet this man 
 had come through the fire not only unscathed, but 
 strengthened and made better for the lessons he had 
 learned from his rough and bitter experiences. Here was 
 a good example to follow a superb specimen of man- 
 hood to mould his own life after so far as it lay in his 
 power. 
 
 "As I have thanked you before, I thank you again, 
 and you shall never have cause to think me careless or 
 ungrateful for what you have done for me," he earnestly 
 declared. "You will forgive me," he said, hesitatingly, 
 "but you you could afford to do all this ?" 
 
 "I have not inconvenienced myself. I will, however, 
 offer you one suggestion. You have suffered suffered 
 deeply. Remember this, when you meet any of your 
 fellows in distress man or woman do not refuse them 
 at least a little assistance. Go out of your way to do 
 a good turn. Give according to your means. Even a 
 cup of coffee will sometimes put new life into a dis- 
 couraged stomach, and you can never tell when even a 
 kind word will make the world seem brighter and per- 
 haps give new hope to a weary soul. You can always 
 afford both, and the good you are able to do for others 
 will help you to forget your own troubles, and expiate 
 the wrong you have done. Try it."
 
 CHAPTER XIII 
 THE WOMAN 
 
 BY the way," Waldron quickly remarked, doubt- 
 less to divert the conversation to lighter ways, 
 "your sister mentioned a guest." 
 
 "Yes, Mrs. Davidge," said Jack. "She is 
 the daughter of an old friend of my mother's. We are 
 all very fond of her, and she runs down from the city for 
 a day or two whenever she feels inclined, knowing that 
 she is always welcome. I don't know," this uncertain 
 declaration being accompanied by a shake of the head, 
 and a smile not too jovial, "but I have been the uncon- 
 scious means of bringing you into the presence of your 
 fate. Fact is, Mrs. Davidge is a widow, of say, seven 
 and twenty, rich and charming. Mark me well, and be- 
 ware! But that is not all," he added, glancing critically 
 at his guest to note the effect of this possibly startling 
 information. 
 
 "What else? I may as well know the worst at once." 
 "Well, nature has been very kind to her in many re- 
 spects positively lavish in others. To be sure, she pos- 
 sesses only the fashionable requirements in the way of 
 features she is nothing if not correct, you must know. 
 But her eyes ! Ah, old chap, I verily believe she was de- 
 signed by her Creator as a punishment to our sex. Eyes 
 without intellect champagne without fizz. But she has 
 
 106
 
 THE WOMAN 107 
 
 intellect well developed, if you please. She possesses 
 the faculty of bringing aboriginal traits into evidence to 
 an alarming degree she simply makes monkeys of men. 
 Are you interested ?" he inquired, somewhat doubtfully. 
 
 "Oh, exceedingly !" replied the guest, glancing over a 
 book he had taken from the table. "Is there more to be 
 said ?" 
 
 "Much, my dear fellow, much the limit is my inca- 
 pacity. I am not well versed in the classics of beauty, 
 but she is in the blue ribbon class with lengths to spare. 
 She is a New Yorker in all the term implies. Is your 
 curiosity aroused, sir?" 
 
 "I am possessed by contending emotions," was the 
 somewhat ambiguous reply of the other, as he tossed the 
 book back on the table and possessed himself of a com- 
 fortable chair. 
 
 "She married very young. Parental affair money in- 
 volved, and that sort of thing, you know," continued 
 Jack, evidently desirous that his friend should be well 
 informed concerning his fair guest. "Her parents and 
 old man Davidge were about the only ones who seemed to 
 think well of the match, but as it was for them to give 
 and to receive, the deal went through. I don't think she 
 was very enthusiastic about the affair herself, if the truth 
 were known, but she kept her thoughts to herself, at 
 least she never confided in me. But the next time she 
 starts she will have something to say about the weight 
 she takes up, or I don't know her." 
 
 "You are still speaking of the young woman ?" 
 
 "I guess they all realized when it was too late that she 
 had been given the worst of the start," he continued, 
 ignoring this rather questionable interruption, "and when
 
 io8 MISTER BILL 
 
 the old man discovered, as he must have done, that it 
 was sheer nonsense to hitch up an old campaigner with 
 a young filly just coming into her stride and expect them 
 to keep an even pace, he showed that he was still a dead 
 game sport by just quietly cashing in died, you know 
 and left her all his money, and the house on the Avenue, 
 where she and her mother still live. Rather handsome of 
 the old fellow after all. His widow is certainly very 
 popular, and none the less on account of the money he 
 left her. She is the whole thing wherever she appears ; 
 always a crowd around her admiration of the men and 
 of course the envy of the women if no worse. 
 
 "If you enter the running, old chap," he rattled on, 
 no comment being offered by his auditor, "you will find 
 a large field, but Mr. Chadeller is the man you will have 
 to beat out at least he will be most in the way. I sup- 
 pose he is down here now he will bring the girls home. 
 He owns quite a little property hereabouts which requires 
 considerable looking after at times. He seems to be 
 the most likely winner in sight, but I don't think much 
 of his form ugly performer, you know liable to throw 
 himself." 
 
 "Your appreciation of the gentleman is of a negative 
 quality, I am compelled to infer," said Waldron. 
 
 "There is certainly not much love lost between us. He 
 is insanely jealous, and resents any attention paid to Mrs. 
 Davidge. Result, he has developed a state of chronic 
 disagreeableness which at times amounts to downright 
 insolence. I should have taken positive delight in 
 thrashing him upon several occasions, but unfortunately 
 my ability has not been equal to my desire by about forty 
 pounds."
 
 THE WOMAN 109 
 
 "The appreciation of your lack of avoirdupois would 
 seem to be the conservative part of valor." 
 
 "I think she tires of the mad whirl at times and comes 
 down here to get away from the crowd and enjoy a little 
 rest and quiet," continued the young man, ignoring what 
 he evidently regarded as a mild facetiousness at his ex- 
 pense. "During the summer she frequently prolongs her 
 visits and then some of her more devoted satellites sud- 
 denly discover an attraction about the old town and send 
 down their traps and put up at the hotel, or drop their 
 hooks off the shore, and the whole crowd stands at atten- 
 tion. Her ability to manage men and horses, too is 
 little less than marvelous. She drives them both man 
 and beast with a high hand." 
 
 "Well, young man, after your very comprehensive 
 dissertation and warning, I can hardly do less than to 
 absolve you from all responsibility of whatsoever kind 
 or character. All of which is extremely kind of you even 
 if a trifle unfair to the lady," said the guest, rising from 
 his chair. "All right, Jack! Forewarned is forearmed, 
 and thanks to you I am a walking arsenal. Please order 
 up the enemy !" 
 
 "Here they are !" exclaimed Jack. "I hear their voices 
 outside. You had better get over by that table, old man," 
 his spirits rising perceptibly; "you will need a bracer. 
 She always comes with a rush sweeps you right off your 
 feet." 
 
 "We crawl into a hole in the ground out in my coun- 
 try when things of that sort appear on the horizon," said 
 Waldron, apparently not impressed with the serious na- 
 ture of the situation. 
 
 "Let me give you a few final injunctions," said Jack,
 
 no MISTER BILL 
 
 his eyes sparkling with merriment. "Her manner will be 
 charmingly impulsive and effusive, and sufficiently per- 
 sonal to make you think rather well of yourself. She 
 will perhaps tell you that she is delighted to add her 
 welcome although this is not her home only by adoption, 
 you know. She should have been a politician ; as a man 
 she would have shaken her way into the presidential 
 chair. The mere extending of the hand is a revelation in 
 itself graciousness, impulsiveness, and frankness, all 
 concentrated into one pretty movement, ably seconded 
 by a smile of seraphic sweetness. Yes, indeed, she has 
 heard dear Maude, and dear Edith speak of you so many, 
 many times. They have all been impatiently awaiting 
 your coming, but men have so many calls upon their time 
 what can they, poor things, expect ? But you have come 
 to them at last you are from the West, aren't you? 
 beware, unsuspecting mortal the toils of that fate are 
 being drawn about you. Really, she possesses a great 
 admiration for men of the West the coils are being 
 drawn closer and closer especially men of the plains and 
 mountains Ah, son of Adam, it is the same old story ! 
 they are such brave, rugged, manly fellows, such perfect 
 types of manhood, and it's all over, poor fellow those 
 same eyes that I have warned you against have done their 
 deadly work." 
 
 "What would this this divine creature say to hear 
 herself so maligned ?" Waldron protested. 
 
 "You may tell her at the first opportunity, with my 
 compliments," replied the unabashed youth. "I am 
 deeply indebted to her for past courtesies," he added, 
 rather apologetically. "I should really like to see some 
 estimable gentleman like yourself, for instance stand
 
 THE WOMAN ill 
 
 up and give and take with her for a few rounds. She 
 has had so many walkovers she is rather inclined to 
 patronize our sex." 
 
 "Really, Jack, you are as difficult to follow as you are 
 uncomplimentary, which is saying considerable. I refuse 
 to hear the lady further maligned," declared the mild 
 mannered man, with an assumption of seriousness, which 
 in truth seemed not too deep. 
 
 "I can see Mr. Chadeller even now," persisted this 
 young man terrible, "glaring at you and wanting to know 
 who you are, where you came from, and your pedigree 
 generally, before he permits you to enter the charmed 
 circle of distinguished admirers of the fair Cathalee, of 
 which he is the self-constituted head and censor. Oh, me ! 
 
 "Here they come!" he cried, a moment later, eagerly 
 grasping that fact to forestall a possible move of re- 
 taliation on the part of his long-suffering victim. "That's 
 she !" he exclaimed, as the sound of a mirthful laugh came 
 rippling into the room. "Those are her skirts!" he an- 
 nounced an instant later. "She will be in the lead she 
 is always first under the wire," he cried, his eyes snapping 
 with suppressed merriment. "They're off!" was his 
 final admonition, under his breath, as into the room 
 swept the subject of his remarks.
 
 CHAPTER XIV 
 AS MEN ARE MADE 
 
 CATHALEE DAVIDGE was a distinct type of 
 American womanhood. In the world, and of it, 
 possessing power over others of which she was 
 not unconscious, yet not realizing the full 
 measure of her control, nor whence it came. The great 
 strength of her personality, which transcended all others, 
 and beside which the little artificialities faded into insig- 
 nificance, was her own innate goodness of heart, her 
 depth and breadth of character, which rose above the 
 sordid smallness of her surroundings, and compelled the 
 recognition of weaker mentalities. 
 
 Hers was a happy disposition, seeking the pleasures 
 and recreations which appealed most strongly to her 
 robust and buoyant vitality, and giving her unstinted 
 efforts to the work she had relegated to herself with 
 equal energy and enthusiasm. Free from malicious 
 gossip, preferring to think well rather than ill of any and 
 all, and ever ready to stand by a friend through thick 
 and thin, once satisfied that he or she was in the right. 
 The very buoyancy of her nature would, of necessity, 
 give that element of society which constitutes itself the 
 detractors and censors of its fellows, golden opportuni- 
 ties for speeding its shafts of innuendo and malice, but 
 the breath of scandal had never seared her fair name. 
 
 112
 
 AS MEN ARE MADE 113 
 
 "Egad! It does my old heart good to see that girl 
 sweep into a ball-room," vociferated old Major Rothford. 
 "My word for it, she's just bubbling with life and spirit, 
 and brings a freshness along with her that takes ten 
 years off my old age to lay eyes on her. Natural as a 
 flower, true as steel, and smart as a whip. Egad, sir, 
 you can't beat her !" and the old major voiced the senti- 
 ments of the many. 
 
 It is true that the little archer had sped more than one 
 dart with unerring aim, but each in the end had received 
 the same answer when he stepped beyond the boundary 
 line of friendship. She had nothing further to offer. 
 No, there was no other. And if he went away and re- 
 turned, thinking that the lapse of time might work a 
 change, the answer was the same. So it was not strange 
 that men, failing despite their repeated assaults to make 
 any appreciable impression upon the impregnable wall of 
 perfect self-control with which she seemed to fortify 
 herself, also failed to understand the cause of their futile 
 efforts, and were inclined to agree with the oft expressed 
 belief, that in matters of the heart she was cold, if not 
 impossible, never thinking that the secret might lie in the 
 weakness of the besiegers, rather than in the uncon- 
 querable strength of the fortress. 
 
 "What was that remark, Jack you rascal ! Confess 
 you look positively guilty !" she declared, descending upon 
 that luckless youth. 
 
 But why the start, barely perceptible, perhaps, on the 
 part of the other occupant of the room? Well, indeed, 
 suppose he did start? Men have doubtless started be- 
 fore, and perhaps even trembled when this same person 
 came into their presence. Ah ! the mystery deepens. Or
 
 114 MISTER BILL 
 
 was it mere coincidence? As the lady turned to greet 
 the gentleman, she suddenly started hesitated but for 
 an instant, however, and the formalities of introduction 
 were duly acknowledged. 
 
 As Jack had predicted, Mr. Chadeller had been the 
 escort of the party, and was duly presented to Waldron. 
 He was certainly not more than civil. Perhaps he looked 
 upon the new-comer as another possible rival, and while 
 no particular harm need be anticipated, no good could 
 possibly result. All of which would indicate that he was 
 a man of caution, and not confident unto rashness of his 
 ability to ultimately carry off the prize on which he had 
 set his hopes and his ambitions, and as much of his heart 
 as he could disassociate from the process of money- 
 letting and getting. 
 
 The conversation quickly became general, or more 
 properly speaking, was monopolized by Mrs. Davidge, 
 Edith and Jack, all seeming to talk at once, their running 
 fire of badinage being directed for the most part upon the 
 stranger. The first named opened civilities or hostilities 
 there might have been some doubt in Waldron's mind 
 which term was applicable much as Jack had predicted, 
 which was really not surprising as they were channels 
 into which the conversation might naturally drift. A 
 man of Waldron's robust physique and the life he had 
 led would naturally appeal to her own wholesome nature. 
 He seemed inclined, however, to regard her pleasantries 
 with mild suspicion. He had seen men of the West make 
 tenderfeet dance to the music of shots fired at their feet ; 
 was he merely dancing to the music of this siren's flattery 
 and badinage? He was a tenderfoot once upon a time, 
 it was true, but that was long ago, and under conditions
 
 AS MEN ARE MADE 115 
 
 that left no doubt as to the etiquette involved, which was 
 promptly and cordially expressed through the medium of 
 a "straight right" delivered with the artistic abandon of 
 the trained athlete, bringing the festivities to an abrupt 
 termination, and his would-be entertainer to the floor. 
 
 Such heroic measures were hardly applicable to present 
 conditions, and the dance must be permitted to go merrily 
 on with the best grace possible. So it was that while the 
 charming creature (figuratively) talked rings around 
 him, he merely (another figure) turned in his tracks and 
 met her at whatever point of the circle she presented 
 herself. She had doubtless soon discovered that her 
 antagonist was not to be lightly rated a fellow who 
 persisted in choosing his ground, and the pace he would 
 go, refusing absolutely to be drawn away from the 
 stronghold of his self-possession, and avoiding ambushes 
 like a seasoned veteran. In short, showing commendable 
 adaptability to the requirements of the situation, and 
 withal, conveying the impression of a reserved force 
 should occasion require. 
 
 Mr. Chadeller's part in the conversation had been 
 merely of a perfunctory character. That gentleman was 
 palpably ill at ease. Matters were not progressing to his 
 liking. His greeting to Jack had been none too gracious, 
 which doubtless caused that young man to regretfully 
 recall the disparity of forty pounds avoirdupois standing 
 between him and simple civility. He viewed with little 
 satisfaction the frank, good-natured greeting Mrs. 
 Davidge bestowed upon the young man, nor did the un- 
 accountable incident of the greeting with the stranger 
 escape him. It was insignificant, to be sure yet it 
 boded no good. What was it anyhow? He was sus-
 
 Ii6 MISTER BILL 
 
 picious and uncomfortable he was rarely otherwise. 
 Moreover, he was ignored ; certainly was not a necessary 
 adjunct to the little party. To receive his sanction, or 
 even toleration, his was the central figure around which 
 a company must revolve. By some strange process of 
 which nature alone holds the secret, he saw things from 
 a converse standpoint to the majority of his fellows with 
 the inevitable result that he gratified his own inordinate 
 vanity, and bored the many. 
 
 His desire to shine in society through the medium of 
 his intellect was doubtless owing to these same con- 
 flicting elements in his character. If his wit was small 
 his purse was large, which secured for him a courteous 
 tolerance in certain quarters; in others, varied forms of 
 flattery a kind of subsidized adulation a tribute to his 
 purse which deluded the man and demeaned his flat- 
 terers. 
 
 Even a gentle and enduring patience has its limita- 
 tions, and as Mr. Chadeller was a stranger alike to one 
 and the other, he could not be expected to long abide 
 his present negative position, and the young man was 
 therefore little surprised when the gentleman indicated 
 that he would speak with him. 
 
 "Who is he?" he demanded, indicating the "he" by a 
 movement of his head, when he had led the way a little 
 apart from the others. 
 
 "The gentleman is Mr. William Waldron," replied the 
 young man, none too amiably, doubtless irritated by 
 the insolent abruptness of the demand as well as by the 
 meddlesome spirit which prompted it. 
 
 On several occasions this same gentleman had at- 
 tempted to exercise a censorship over the young man,
 
 AS MEN ARE MADE 117 
 
 presuming not a little upon his long acquaintance with 
 the family, and a certain interest he was not unwilling 
 should be understood that he entertained for its general 
 welfare. The real cause of his interest, however, might 
 better be attributed to the extremely friendly relations 
 of a certain fair lady with the family, and his present 
 agitation was doubtless inspired more by the gracious- 
 ness with which she was pleased to regard the stranger, 
 than by his possible demoralizing influence upon the fam- 
 ily circle. 
 
 "Waldron ?" he repeated, with ill concealed displeasure, 
 "I don't know any Waldrons. I " 
 
 "It is sufficient for me to say, Mr. Chadeller, that 
 the gentleman is my friend a guest in my mother's 
 house a welcome guest and you can hardly do less 
 than to remember that you are also a guest if you would 
 retain the same consideration," said the young man, with 
 careful distinctness, looking his inquisitor squarely in 
 the eye. 
 
 Surprise and indignation were plainly depicted upon 
 Mr. Chadeller's countenance, as he grasped the full in- 
 tent and meaning of the young man's reply. "You will 
 be sorry for this, young man, before you are much 
 older," he fumed, under his breath. "You will see the 
 day when you will need the assistance of the friends 
 you so glibly insult but I wash my hands of you," and 
 turning abruptly, he made a hurried adieu to Mrs. 
 Davidge, conceded a nod to the young ladies, no notice 
 whatever to Waldron, and passed out. 
 
 "What have you done, Jack?" cried Maude, not a 
 little alarmed, as she was aware of the rather tense rela- 
 tions existing between the men, and had long feared
 
 ii8 MISTER BILL 
 
 an open rupture, against which she had frequently 
 warned Jack. 
 
 "I hope you have not been rude, Jack," Mrs. Davidge 
 ventured, well knowing his impetuous disposition. 
 
 "Well, I didn't exactly turn the other cheek," he ad- 
 mitted. "I gave about as I received." 
 
 A feeling of constraint had fallen upon the little party. 
 Maude should be returning home, which meant escort 
 duty for Master Jack, and the young ladies hied them- 
 selves upstairs for her wraps, and Mrs. Davidge, re- 
 fusing, as she laughingly declared, to assume entire 
 charge of the men, followed almost immediately. 
 
 "I am the immediate cause of the severance of peace- 
 ful relations with Mr. Chadeller, I presume," said 
 Waldron, when they were alone. "You felt that cir- 
 cumstances warranted such action, I have no doubt, yet 
 I am sorry to have been the particular element of dis- 
 cord." 
 
 "I felt entirely justified, yes," replied Jack. "The 
 man reflected unkindly and unnecessarily upon my guest. 
 His impudence to me I might have overlooked rather 
 than be disagreeable in my own home, but he forfeited 
 that consideration when he ceased to remember that he 
 was himself a guest." 
 
 "Ready!" announced Maude, as she descended the 
 stairs. "Good-night," she said, giving Waldron her hand, 
 and a pretty smile. "I shall send Jack back immediately." 
 
 "Take the big chair, and light up your weed, old man 
 I shall not be long," said Jack, as he left his guest in 
 sole possession.
 
 CHAPTER XV 
 "DO I INTRUDE?" 
 
 IN the great easy chair, the soft glow of the shaded 
 light falling full upon his upturned face, comfort- 
 ably reposed the lone occupant of the room. Silently 
 he sent ring after ring of fragrant smoke into space 
 which disappeared one after the other even as his 
 thoughts took wings, and left no trace of their coming 
 or their going. All unconscious was he of a white-robed 
 figure that was softly, almost timidly, descending the 
 stairs ; all unconscious of two bright eyes intently watch- 
 ing the smoke curling up from behind the chair, which 
 from their point of observation was the only evidence 
 of its occupancy. Now they roam uncertainly about ; 
 now they hesitate and seem about to retreat. Ah! now 
 they sparkle with merriment and 
 
 "Do I intrude?" queried a laughing voice, breaking 
 the silence. 
 
 "No. Do I ?" inquired the man, rising from the chair. 
 
 "That sir, cannot be, since it is your privacy that is 
 invaded." 
 
 "Ah!" expressive of satisfaction. 
 
 "I was conscious of the odor of a very good cigar, 
 which suggested the thought that there must surely be a 
 man in the immediate vicinity." 
 
 "A not illogical conclusion," he admitted. 
 
 119
 
 120 MISTER BILL 
 
 "The thought also occurred to me, that if I followed 
 the smoke of that cigar far enough I might find a man 
 at the end of it perhaps a very lonesome man. So I 
 trailed you." 
 
 "Your theory certainly possesses the merit of practical 
 demonstration. You don't object to the cigar?" 
 
 "On the contrary, I adore a cigar. It gives one such 
 a comfortable feeling to know that a man is somewhere 
 about the place." 
 
 "Now that the man is discovered, what would you 
 suggest? Will you come down, or shall I come up?" 
 
 "Neither, if you please, sir. I might suggest a tele- 
 phone, if you feel unequal to the distance." 
 
 "Very sorry, but I don't happen to have one about 
 me." 
 
 "Very well, then, if you are really inspired by a desire 
 to make the best of a bad situation, you might move 
 your chair over here," indicating a space in front of the 
 landing, "and I will possess myself of the gallery, and 
 you may talk to me until Jack returns. This is per- 
 fectly lovely!" she exclaimed, a moment later when he 
 had -drawn the big chair across the room, and she had 
 seated herself on the little bench-like arrangement ex- 
 tending around the landing. "I will be the audience, and 
 you may be the actor, if you please. Fancy me the gal- 
 lery a whole row of little gallery gods " 
 
 "Rather, queen of the heavens," he gently interposed. 
 
 "Thank you, most gallant mummer," making him a 
 pretty courtesy. "Queen, then, since your fancy is bet- 
 ter pleased." 
 
 "And what part do you think me best fitted to enact ?" 
 he inquired, entering into the spirit of her mood.
 
 "DO I INTRUDE?" 121 
 
 "Is it possible you do not know? Why, heroic melo- 
 drama, to be sure. Arrayed in the picturesque garb of 
 the plains, you are quite the ideal hero. Oh, yes, we 
 have met before !" she laughed, in answer to his look 
 of surprised inquiry, "and I have seen you gorgeously 
 arrayed in all your habiliments of war." 
 
 "Ah, indeed! The drama is developing most unex- 
 pected and no less interesting possibilities." 
 
 "Have a care, sir. It may develop undesirable situa- 
 tions as well!" 
 
 "And what may have been our relations upon this 
 particular occasion, may I ask?" 
 
 "Really, sir, you are positively embarrassing. Permit 
 me to assure you that my intentions are honorable 
 quite honorable." 
 
 "Can it be that we were soul affinities drawn to a 
 blessed re-union " 
 
 "Sir!" 
 
 "Or mere corporeal entities that meet to-day only to 
 part to-morrow," he inquired, with an assumption of seri- 
 ousness. 
 
 "We are likely to part very soon at the pace you 
 have set, sir. I confess my inability to follow you," she 
 declared, with considerable spirit. 
 
 "What, then, may we consider the present state of our 
 relations say a conservative estimate?" 
 
 "Nil! I refuse to force my acquaintance upon a man 
 who regards it with such utter indifference," she declared, 
 with impressive dignity. 
 
 "Would a broader and more liberal interpretation tend 
 to simplify matters, and advance the acquaintance to
 
 122 MISTER BILL 
 
 any considerable degree?" he inquired, with fine dis- 
 tinction. 
 
 "Pray, sir, do not concern yourself further. I refuse 
 absolutely to discuss the matter. It is really of no impor- 
 tance whether we have met before, or whether we ever 
 meet again. Why I ever mentioned the ridiculous sub- 
 ject is quite beyond me. I shall wish you good-night, 
 sir," she told him, with chilling and dignified composure, 
 rising from her seat, preparing to take her departure. 
 
 "Pardon me, but it is of the utmost importance to 
 me," he qualified, with rare good judgment. "Believe 
 me," he said, quite humbly, fully alive to the serious 
 nature of his offense, "the seeming indifference which 
 you so justly condemn is but an assumption a weak 
 subterfuge a cloak, as it were to conceal my real emo- 
 tions. And now that I have confessed my poor de- 
 fense, I trust you will be generous and assist me to 
 identify myself." 
 
 Was the man quite serious, or was he going from bad 
 to worse, and simply kicking his heels behind the guise 
 assumed, and making merry at her expense ? 
 
 "You may dispense with the cloak, if you please, sir. 
 It ill becomes you if you would know the truth. A 
 man is sometimes judged by the coat that he wears, 
 and it behooves him, in the present instance, to don his 
 own and his best apparel," was the somewhat mollified, 
 yet not entirely satisfied reply. 
 
 "Thank you," he said, bowing contritely. "You are 
 very generous as generous as you are beautiful, I would 
 say, did I not fear that my temerity might suffer re- 
 buke. In the meantime my identity remains to be es- 
 tablished."
 
 "DO I INTRUDE?" 123 
 
 "Permit me to suggest that your temerity will be less 
 conspicuous and less liable to suffer rebuke, if you re- 
 frain from irrelevant observations," she declared, with 
 considerable asperity. 
 
 "Would it not be well, then, to definitely establish the 
 particular basis on which we are supposed to stand at 
 the present moment?" 
 
 "To corroborate my assertion, yes for no other rea- 
 son. I shall be very generous more generous than you 
 deserve " 
 
 "Ah, I knew it!" 
 
 "I shall offer, say, three suggestions," she continued, 
 very frigidly, "which may serve to start your mental 
 machinery to working. Time about eighteen months 
 ago. Place Colorado. Scene harrowing. Now, sir." 
 
 "And if my mental machinery fails to perform the 
 allotted task?" 
 
 "The subject will then be dismissed for all time. I 
 can but feel that your recollection should not be less 
 than mine. All this should be very embarrassing to 
 me, but it is not it's annoying, pure and simple." 
 
 "I have no alternative but to accept your conditions. 
 Is there any limit to the game time?" 
 
 "Please to remember, sir, that this is not a game, but 
 a very serious matter. I advise you to search well the 
 hidden recesses of your memory. The tolerance I am 
 according you is merely to justify my assertion that we 
 have met before nothing more." 
 
 "Thank you," he softly murmured, bowing his ap- 
 preciation of the very great consideration accorded him. 
 "Your kind admonition is not lost upon me." 
 
 Silence most profound fell upon the scene. Only the
 
 124 MISTER BILL 
 
 ticking of the little timepiece disturbed the stillness of 
 the room which seemed to grow deeper and more in- 
 tense with each swing of the tiny pendulum. The man 
 seemed to be in deep and serious meditation, once or 
 twice glancing up at his companion from his position 
 back of the big easy chair over which he was leaning, 
 as if, perchance, to recall some connecting link which 
 persisted in eluding him. The lady was serenely in- 
 different, and apparently interested in anything and" 
 everything in the room except the man, of whose presence 
 she was entirely oblivious. It was his fate that was 
 hanging in the balance, and with that she had naught 
 to do. 
 
 "Ah, yes, I have it!" he exultantly exclaimed, sud- 
 denly breaking the silence. "You were on the train 
 stalled in the Grand Canon " 
 
 "Cold very cold !" she icily interrupted. 
 
 "Burr'r!" shrugging his shoulders. "Yes, it was 
 and is!" 
 
 "I did not allude to the particular degree of temper- 
 ature, sir. I merely meant that you were wrong not 
 even on the trail. Is not that a technical term of your 
 profession that you should recognize?" 
 
 "Quite true, indeed. Positively stupid of me not to 
 recognize the vernacular of my profession." 
 
 No reply to this remark was vouchsafed, which ap- 
 proached rather near the danger line of facetiousness, 
 and was hardly in keeping with the serious nature of the 
 matter in hand. Another lapse into silence. 
 
 Finally, more speculatively than positively, he said, 
 "Perhaps you were in the Antlers, at the Springs, when 
 it burned "
 
 "DO I INTRUDE?" 125 
 
 "Warmer warmer, but still some distance off," she 
 again interposed, with most discouraging indifference. 
 
 "That is certainly a conservative estimate. Now I 
 should have said it was hot hot as " 
 
 "Beware, sir!" 
 
 "It could well be. However, that is a mere matter of 
 opinion." 
 
 "I have warned you, sir I made no reference to the 
 particular temperature of the incident. You are quite 
 hopeless," she told him despairingly, studiously averting 
 her eyes. 
 
 "I believe I am, notwithstanding my one remaining 
 chance. Is there really no hope of succor before taking 
 my final plunge?" he was concerned to know. 
 
 "Really, sir, your condition seems quite pitiable, but 
 I fear that I can do little for you," she felt constrained 
 to reply, but with considerable less severity. 
 
 "I fear you fail to appreciate the very great disad- 
 vantage under which I am laboring. Verily, it is a search 
 for the proverbial needle to discover myself in the mass 
 of perplexities in which I have been involved during the 
 past two years. Now I would suggest " 
 
 "I do not care to entertain any suggestions from you, 
 sir," she interposed, with difficulty refraining from laugh- 
 ing outright, her indignation not being proof against the 
 supreme good nature of the man. "Can it be possible 
 that I am really taxing your poor mentalities too severely 
 should I be more lenient?" she said, regarding him 
 uncertainly, not quite satisfied that he was deserving of 
 consideration. 
 
 Her indecision was of short duration the woman 
 triumphed.
 
 CHAPTER XVI 
 A MAN WHO DARED 
 
 SURELY, sir, you cannot have forgotten that ter- 
 rible night out in the Colorado mountains, when 
 the overland express, tearing down the moun- 
 tain side in the dead of night, plunged headlong 
 into a train of cattle? Ah, surely, you must remember 
 that awful scene, far beyond the power of words to ade- 
 quately portray. Those poor people who never knew 
 what fate befell them, yet far more fortunate than the 
 miserable creatures to whom death finally came as a 
 grateful deliverance. And those other poor creatures! 
 How piteous their long drawn cries, almost human in 
 their helpless appeals ; how they echoed against the 
 great mountain sides towering high above us those 
 black terrifying shadows of the night. And the scene 
 the whole wild, weird, terrible scene lighted up by the 
 flames of the burning cars relentlessly consuming every- 
 thing within their reach, and man utterly powerless to 
 stay their way." 
 
 "It was indeed terrible," he said, with quiet seri- 
 ousness. 
 
 "And you you were everywhere present. Time after 
 time you went into the burning cars, returning with 
 some unfortunate in your arms. Each time you dis- 
 appeared into those roaring furnaces they were little less 
 
 126
 
 A MAN WHO DARED 127 
 
 I held my breath, fearing, dreading, lest you might 
 never return. It seemed there must certainly be a limit 
 to your strength if not to your will. Not until the cars 
 were entirely wrapped in flames did you desist from 
 your work of rescue, and then you set about making 
 the wounded comfortable, working with untiring strength, 
 doing the right thing at the right time, and with always 
 a kind and encouraging word for those in distress. 
 
 "But, Oh ! can death never be so terrible so sacred 
 as to inspire respect in living man? Suddenly the ter- 
 rifying and sickening cry of 'robbers' rang out. It was 
 true the dead were being robbed ! Immediately all was 
 commotion among the little band of survivors. Those 
 who had retained a few scattered senses after the first ter- 
 rible shock, simply and completely lost them in the pres- 
 ence of this new terror. I should not say all. I caught 
 just a fleeting glimpse of a form I recognized disap- 
 pearing into the little clump of trees from whence the 
 cry arose, and almost immediately several shots rang 
 out. Such awful portent those shots seemed to echo! 
 I think my heart stopped beating for a time the very 
 atmosphere seemed charged with terror. I was sure that 
 you had been saved from the flames to die Oh! so 
 cruelly, it seemed at the hands of those robbers, and 
 you had simply rushed to your death. An age seemed to 
 pass before you emerged from the woods dragging two 
 despicable looking objects after you, and dropping them 
 on the ground in the full glare of the flames, warned 
 them that if they attempted to escape, you would do you 
 remember what you told them?" she inquired, pausing 
 abruptly, and regarding him curiously.
 
 128 MISTER BILL 
 
 "I dare say an apology may be in order even at this 
 late day," he replied, somewhat dubiously. 
 
 "I shall not attempt to quote you literally for obvious 
 reasons but it is well that you should know what a 
 very terrible man you can be upon occasion. You ex- 
 pressed the opinion that a well defined purging would 
 have a beneficial effect not only upon the culprits them- 
 selves, but upon the community at large, which you 
 seemed firmly convinced could best be accomplished by 
 reducing them to ashes. I think they believed you. I 
 am sure I did, and I hoped, bad as they were, and as 
 much as I disliked their company, they would not at- 
 tempt to escape. We were taken away by the relief 
 train just before daylight. I made inquiries for you, as 
 I wished to thank you for the many little things you had 
 done for me, but you had disappeared." 
 
 "What you have said concerning my part in the un- 
 fortunate affair is in a measure true, to be sure, yet you 
 are pleased to place far too high an estimate upon what 
 was the least one could do under such conditions," he 
 told her, depreciatingly, after an interval of silence. 
 "There is so little that one is able to accomplish under 
 such trying circumstances he feels that censure, rather 
 than commendation should be his portion the will is 
 so great, the strength so small." 
 
 "Ah, yes! I know but too well. One never seems 
 so utterly helpless as when a consciousness of the weak- 
 ness of the flesh compared with the strength of the will 
 is forced upon one. A woman feels so weak and help- 
 less when strength and courage are required 
 
 "There is a strength and courage that man knows 
 naught of," he gently but firmly interposed. "More ten-
 
 A MAN WHO DARED 129 
 
 der hands than mine were at work that night assuaging 
 pain and thirst, and binding wounds. Softer words than 
 mine gave courage to motherless children and childless 
 mothers, and strong men dazed and helpless. More lov- 
 ing arms than mine pillowed helpless heads and broken 
 forms. Ah, yes! You were a ministering angel that 
 night, and sometimes I thought as I saw you flitting 
 from one poor form to another, performing countless 
 little offices that only a woman's heart could prompt, or 
 hand could do, how much greater and nobler is the 
 strength of her love ; how much nearer the divine precept 
 is the spirit of her sweet ministrations, than the brute 
 strength on which men pride themselves." 
 
 "And you you really believe all this?" she cried, al- 
 most incredulously, a suspicious moistening in her eyes. 
 
 "Every word," he replied, with solemn conviction. 
 
 "Oh, that I might believe it as well! That I might 
 honestly believe myself worthy of such high esteem 
 such manly appreciation." 
 
 "Then, too, your woman's wit came to the rescue 
 when bandages were so sorely needed, and more than 
 one poor fellow has you to thank for your prompt sac- 
 rifice" 
 
 "I forbid, sir; not another syllable!" she commanded. 
 "You are dealing with suppositions entirely unjustifiable 
 at this late day," she declared, with an assumption of seri- 
 ousness. 
 
 "My ideas are general, rather than specific, I must 
 admit, but sufficient to know " 
 
 "I fear, sir, that you are still on dangerous ground," 
 she again admonished.
 
 130 MISTER BILL 
 
 "Very well, we will rest the case admitting the sac- 
 rifice," he insisted. 
 
 "You are convinced, then, that we have really met 
 before?" 
 
 "I never doubted." 
 
 "And when, pray, did the fact first dawn upon you?" 
 
 "When you first entered this room." 
 
 Did she hear aright? Surprise and incredulity were 
 depicted upon her countenance as she silently regarded 
 the man before her. "Am I to understand, sir, that you 
 permitted me to believe you did not recall our previous 
 meeting, yet you were conscious of the fact from the 
 very beginning?" 
 
 "Your expression is painfully plain and correct." 
 
 "May I ask you, sir, to be equally plain, and explain 
 your motives? Possibly I can be made to see the joke. 
 I am inclined to look upon the ridiculous side if one 
 exists, but in this particular instance it seems somewhat 
 obscure," she replied, with calm cynicism, betokening 
 no good. 
 
 "Indeed, good lady, you flatter me. Tis no joke 
 but a play a bit of the melodrama at the special re- 
 quest of the gallery Queen of the heavens. You are 
 pleased to pay my poor histrionic abilities a high com- 
 pliment indeed." 
 
 Her features, as she regarded this most excellent 
 actor, slowly relaxed, and moulded themselves into a 
 pretty smile as the ridiculous nature of the situation be- 
 came more apparent. "Well, of all I am quite at a loss 
 for the word I require. And so I carefully prepared 
 a pitfall and deliberately proceeded to throw myself into
 
 A MAN WHO DARED 13! 
 
 it for your amusement, which was very obliging of me, 
 was it not?" 
 
 "If the part was not to your liking, you must remem- 
 ber that it was not of my choosing," he told her, im- 
 penitently. 
 
 "None the less, sir, I think you a very bad actor 
 I do not approve of your style in the least. I am un- 
 able to discover whether you are simply poking fun at 
 me, or carrying a chip on your shoulder and inviting 
 me to knock it off. Oh, I am not so sure!" replying 
 to a gesture of protest on his part. "I have an idea that 
 I recognize certain belligerent tendencies. If it is the 
 former, I object seriously. If the latter, your desire 
 may be gratified in a manner least expected, for be it 
 known, I positively revel in a pitched battle with an able- 
 bodied man, and I further give you fair warning, quarter 
 will not be asked nor given. Now, sir, I consider my- 
 self absolved from all responsibility of whatsoever kind 
 or character." 
 
 Surely, man, this dire ultimatum of relentless femi- 
 ninity is not lost upon you you are not brave unto rash- 
 ness. Will you not gracefully retire while yet the way is 
 open ? Will you persistently offer battle to one on whom 
 the flush of victory rests so lightly that she is audaciously 
 aggressive in the very strength that has never known 
 defeat? Brave men have sought and fought, only to 
 succumb men more practiced in an art of warfare for 
 which you are little fitted by training and experience, 
 and perhaps too little proficient to make even an interest- 
 ing opponent. 
 
 Lives there a man so wondrous wise, that he can tell 
 another of the whys and wherefores, ways and means to
 
 I 3 2 MISTER BILL 
 
 pursue, when a woman a lovely woman leads the way? 
 And does it really matter much, and do the best laid 
 plans, or advice of wisest sage avail, when a woman 
 a lovely woman would have her way? 
 
 "I think you may consider yourself absolved from all 
 responsibility," he told her. "There seems to be a most 
 commendable desire extant to make me the architect of 
 my own fortunes or misfortunes. You are kind enough 
 to corroborate a previous warning, to which I now incline 
 to believe I gave too little heed." 
 
 "Indeed! And are you still playing a part, or your- 
 self? And what, pray, were you warned against, may 
 I ask?" 
 
 "I was warned against this same aggressiveness, of 
 which you speak. That people men in particular must 
 be subservient to your will." 
 
 "Go on, sir, if you please! I trust you will not per- 
 mit a false delicacy to withhold any part of this very 
 timely warning you have received," she told him, with 
 chilling cynicism. 
 
 "You may not be aware of the fact, but you make 
 monkeys of men drive them with a high hand ac- 
 cording to my informant," coolly explained this reckless 
 wretch. 
 
 "Do I? Indeed! And what if I do? Now I am 
 angry very, very angry, sir. So very angry I am not 
 angry if you can understand me I am quite beyond." 
 
 "Yes, curious that is the stage beyond," calmly re- 
 plied the unscrupulous man, evidently bent upon bringing 
 about his complete undoing. 
 
 "You are right, sir I am curious. And what more did
 
 A MAN WHO DARED 133 
 
 this friend of mine friend, I presume warn you 
 against ?" 
 
 "To be sure, a very warm friend, who further advised 
 me to beware of your irresistible fascinations fatal to 
 the average man. That in affairs of the heart you were 
 quite impossible." 
 
 "Monstrous ! Your informant was Jack, the rascal. 
 I recognize his handiwork. He shall suffer a bad quarter 
 of an hour tomorrow. And you you listened to him. 
 Very gallant, sir, indeed ;" she told him, with withering 
 sarcasm. 
 
 "Yes, I confess. I did enter a protest or two " 
 "Still, you were not compelled to listen." 
 "Quite true. I might have choked the rascal, which 
 I seriously contemplated, but there again, a difficulty 
 presented itself. I should have been gallant, but an ex- 
 ceedingly rude guest one may not choke one's host with 
 impunity. After all, no harm has been done. The 
 admonition, I am sure, was as unnecessary as well in- 
 tended." 
 
 "Your meaning, sir, is still somewhat obscure. What 
 am I to infer by 'unnecessary' ?" she demanded, her curi- 
 osity still greater than her anger. 
 
 "Simply that the young man entertained an exag- 
 gerated idea of the dangers against which he so con- 
 siderately warned me," was the somewhat ambiguous 
 reply. 
 
 "The conversation, I am free to admit, has taken 
 rather a peculiar trend. I must also admit that I feel 
 at a certain disadvantage ; but as it all seems quite clear 
 to you perhaps you will be so good as to enlighten 
 me I am still quite curious, you see. Just what do
 
 134 MISTER BILL 
 
 you mean? Do you mean that you concede me the 
 benefit of the doubt? Or do you think me a particularly 
 disagreeable and undesirable sort of person generally, 
 and well, to be perfectly frank, as you seem to en- 
 courage candor am I to understand that you see nothing 
 in me to commend, or to interest your lordship? Am I 
 quite clear?" 
 
 "Perfectly clear, but a trifle unjust to yourself. I can 
 conceive much, not alone to commend, but to interest. 
 I can also conceive of men offering their hands, their 
 hearts, their souls, their all, at the shrine of their heart's 
 most fondly worshiped idol, each craving with all the 
 ardor of human desire that he may be the elect of his 
 fellows. Obviously then, the happiness of the one must 
 be the misery of the many. Equally obvious, and no 
 less providential, is the fact that this poor creature man 
 is of opposing minds, and while many may strive for 
 a coveted possession, others are content to stand aside 
 and watch the struggle from afar with no greater inter- 
 est than to see the best man win." 
 
 "Really, sir, you are most generous ! If one must be 
 so unfortunate as to be regarded with such utter and 
 complete indifference by even a comparative stranger, 
 it is at least gratifying to know that one is not neces- 
 sarily responsible. All this is intensely interesting and 
 edifying. Do you mind telling me the particular ideal 
 to which your fancy turns in its untrammeled flights? 
 I am merely curious to know the peculiar ideas of a 
 very peculiar man and a very bold one, if he would 
 know my private opinion." 
 
 The ominous clouds had passed away. Slowly but 
 surely the sun's rays had penetrated the gathering dark-
 
 A MAN WHO DARED 135 
 
 ness when thunder and lightning and deluge most dire 
 seemed about to descend upon him who recklessly braved 
 their fury. 
 
 "I am really at a loss which to admire the more ; your 
 unqualified assurance, or my good nature in calmly sitting 
 by and permitting myself to be maligned at the hands 
 of a reckless stranger. I think, too, I am somewhat 
 surprised at myself. The experience is certainly novel, 
 and perhaps for that reason more interesting than might 
 be a repetition. Do you know," she said, looking at 
 him somewhat curiously, "I am half inclined to believe 
 that you may possess possibilities useful to me if you 
 are well disposed." 
 
 "I am amenable to any reasonable proposition," he re- 
 plied, with becoming modesty. 
 
 "For instance," she continued, disregarding his reply, 
 "the advantage of knowing that a man will not by any 
 chance fancy himself in love, and declare himself at 
 odd and uncertain intervals, is incalculable. Such 
 little eccentricities on the part of your sex are more 
 or less embarrassing, and creative of a certain constraint 
 according to the ardor and frequency with which they 
 occur. One is thus relieved of many responsibilities and 
 Oh ! I can think of advantages too numerous to men- 
 tion." 
 
 "We are sure to get on, if all your requirements are 
 equally simple," he gravely assured her. 
 
 "The idea is charming positively alluring in the 
 mere contemplation," she declared, but whether sincere, 
 or merely facetiously cynical, was not quite clear. "To 
 begin with, I have a very unruly horse. He has be- 
 haved very badly, and has disgraced himself generally
 
 136 MISTER BILL 
 
 in the estimation of several of my friends he is also 
 quite beyond my groom. I assume that you are an ex- 
 pert in the management of horses, and I shall expect you 
 to immediately take him in hand and exert your influence 
 over his fractious spirits. I have discovered that the 
 man possesses a similar spirit, and I shall closely ob- 
 serve his methods in dealing with the beast, and perhaps 
 apply them to the man himself, if he behaves so badly 
 again beware, sir!" 
 
 "I trust there will be no occasion for extreme meas- 
 ures with man or beast," he replied, with due gravity. 
 
 "Then it is quite understood we are to be friends? 
 Very well, there's my hand as you men say," rising 
 and offering him her hand and a very gracious smile as 
 well. "Friends, then good-night." 
 
 And so it was that this man and this woman met 
 once upon a time out in that wild country under cir- 
 cumstances which try men's souls. Each had uncon- 
 sciously shown the other a depth and strength of char- 
 acter, a love and sympathy for their fellows of no com- 
 mon order, and after a lapse of time had been brought 
 together by chance or some strangely ordered plan. What 
 was the -portent? Were they mere creatures of circum- 
 stances or were they moulding life's plastic forces in 
 the strength and fullness of their own divine endow- 
 ments? Who shall say?
 
 CHAPTER XVII 
 "LOVE, INDEED!" 
 
 THE family and its guests attended services next 
 morning in the little church not far distant, as 
 had been the custom of father and mother even 
 before the memorable day when they had been 
 joined in holy wedlock beneath the old roof. Pastors 
 had come and gone ; some called to positions of greater 
 responsibility; others, they knew not whither. New 
 churches and new creeds had come one after another, but 
 the little family continued to worship in the ivy-covered 
 little pile, sacred to the memories of the past. 
 
 Cathalee was no less loyal to the little house of worship, 
 and not a few were the trips she made from the city for 
 no other purpose than to attend the simple service, in 
 which she seemed to find a distinct pleasure and satis- 
 faction. She had declared upon one occasion, in answer 
 to a query propounded by a friend who marveled at this, 
 to her, unaccountable eccentricity, that she felt a sense 
 of peace and repose within the walls of the little church 
 that she had never experienced in the more imposing 
 edifice in the city in which she was wont to worship. She 
 liked the simple and sincere sermons ; she dearly loved 
 to look out on the green fields and waving branches, and 
 breathe the sweet perfumes wafted in through the open 
 windows. "And when," she added, with characteristic 
 
 137
 
 138 MISTER BILL 
 
 enthusiasm, "the joyous voices of the little feathered 
 songsters mingle with the gladsome songs of man in one 
 long sweet refrain, all nature seems to be lifting up its 
 voice and pouring out its heart in glad rejoicing. Is it 
 not glorious, is it not sublime," her enthusiasm increasing, 
 "to think just to think if we only knew ourselves bet- 
 ter, or if the great laws of our being could be made 
 clear to us, we might always be happy and content, and 
 dwell in the paradise of which we catch such a little 
 glimpse when our souls are en rapport, and our voices 
 attuned to nature's chords ? Ah ! but it is unfortunate we 
 know ourselves so little. Are we wilfully ignorant, or is 
 it such a great problem that we cannot understand, and 
 are we never to know ?" She might be old-fashioned, she 
 admitted, when further pressed, but she preferred her 
 religion distinct from a social function. Yes, she 
 further admitted, it was doubtless her misfortune that 
 she was not able to reconcile the two, but such being 
 the case, she was compelled to choose methods and 
 means adapted to her limited mentality depraved, per- 
 haps but really, what could be expected of a poor mortal 
 so afflicted. 
 
 "Why, Jack, where is Edith?" inquired Mrs. Winston, 
 as the little party was about setting out for church. 
 
 "She has been trying for an hour or more to arrange 
 her hair like Cathalee's. I offered to assist her, but 
 she" 
 
 "Declined your valuable services," Maude supplied. 
 
 "Good guess! She pushed me out, locked the door, 
 and declared it was bad enough to be a girl without 
 having a nuisance of a brother. Poor sis! She is cer- 
 tainly in hard luck."
 
 LOVE, INDEED 139 
 
 "As I am the recipient of such a pretty compliment, it 
 behooves me to see that I am correctly interpreted," 
 laughed Cathalee, running lightly up the stairs. 
 
 "Mine enemy !" laughed Jack, looking after her in un- 
 disguised admiration. "She is not on speaking terms 
 with me," he said, addressing Waldron. "Says I have 
 irredeemably distinguished myself this time. You be- 
 haved very badly last evening, sir, but it was all my 
 fault, it seems. What do you think of that for logic?" 
 
 "A woman's logic is not limited by man's understand- 
 ing," that gentleman briefly observed. 
 
 "She says that between us both, we don't leave a poor 
 woman a shred of reputation. I felt positively undone 
 when she had finished with me." 
 
 Jack's remarks were cut short by the return of the sub- 
 ject thereof accompanied by Edith, the unruly locks 
 under control, and a very pretty and blushing apology 
 made for keeping the party waiting. 
 
 "I fancy this is quite an unexpected pleasure for Mr. 
 Waldron," said Cathalee, as a start was finally made, 
 "but it is a penance we exact impartially from all our 
 friends, and I am sufficiently depraved to feel a brutal 
 satisfaction when I have been the means of dragging a 
 poor man off to church against his will. Oh, yes ! It is 
 quite true!" she insisted, pausing to note the effect of 
 this dire confession. "You men!" shaking her pretty 
 head, "are beyond redemption at mortal hands, I fear 
 you can only be tormented occasionally when you are 
 caught unawares." 
 
 At the conclusion of the services she informed him 
 that he had behaved very well, but was beyond all doubt 
 a self-confessed martyr. He was so very grave that she
 
 140 MISTER BILL 
 
 was prompted to inscribe an epitaph to his lately departed 
 thoughts, the gravity of which impeachment he made no 
 attempt to deny. 
 
 The little family bereft of its father and stronger 
 guardian, earnestly and reverently offering its simple 
 devotion to the great Ruler, and asking for strength and 
 guidance; the sweet little face at his side blushing with 
 maidenly modesty when bright eyes met his ; the daintily 
 gloved little hands flying over the leaves, and finding 
 hymns and passages almost before the preacher's voice 
 had died -away ; the little voice blending its plaintive sweet- 
 ness with the many, and reverently repeating the hum- 
 ble petition as the little head was bowed in prayer, all 
 tended to make him serious. And perchance his thoughts 
 strayed away to that far country to his own life among 
 scenes and people so vastly different, yet children of the 
 one great family ; to life in the great city its multitude 
 of complexities ; to life the great problem. Perhaps, 
 too, his thoughts took him in their winged flight back to 
 the days even more remote when he, the only child of 
 loving parents, bowed his head, and breathed the same 
 enduring words of hope and supplication those days of 
 childhood's happy hours when he was privileged the sweet 
 companionship and solace of a mother's love, and a 
 father's wisdom and guidance. But what had been his 
 life since those days long past ? How little had parental 
 prayers and plans availed against a higher power. What 
 destiny was this same immutable law preparing for the 
 sweet young soul at his side? Would her life be em- 
 bittered by the sin and wretchedness of the great world? 
 Would she soon be drawn into the turmoil from which 
 her young life had been shielded, and of which she was
 
 LOVE, INDEED 141 
 
 blissfully unconscious? Or would she blossom into the 
 fruition of her womanhood, protected and guarded by the 
 strength of him into whose keeping she gave her life? 
 God grant it might be! God grant that the mother's 
 prayers for her children be not without avail ! 
 
 The first impressions of the young miss concerning the 
 stranger were seemingly justified by further acquaintance, 
 and they were soon on terms of good comradeship. He 
 was early made acquainted with her pets a particular 
 mark of esteem and confidence. Her dog the greatest 
 of his kind in the estimation of his mistress wagged 
 approval of the big stranger of kindly voice who talked 
 to him familiarly, and appreciated his fine points. Old 
 Dick blinked approval of his biography as set forth by 
 his little mistress no equine could quite compare with 
 Dick. Her garden plots, favorite nooks and corners in- 
 doors and out were duly explored, and the man uncon- 
 sciously made possessor of many an innocent thought and 
 girlish confidence indeed, it seemed never to occur to the 
 little miss that she might not repose the most implicit 
 confidence in her new friend. 
 
 If he had thought to receive all this attention without 
 giving value received, he was quickly undeceived. All 
 unconsciously was he led into one of the cosy corners 
 of his little hostess, a comfortable place made for him, 
 and a running fire of questions suddenly flung at him 
 which only the curiosity of youthful enthusiasm could 
 suggest. 
 
 Nor was the little miss the only one impelled to interest 
 herself in his behalf. A certain other friend seemed to 
 find a keen delight in covert flings and innuendos when- 
 ever opportunity presented. Perhaps in retaliation for
 
 142 MISTER BILL 
 
 the questionable treatment received at his hands the night 
 before ; he should be made to pay dearly for his temerity, 
 and his office of friend to her majesty, the fair Cathalee, 
 might not prove to be the sinecure he seemed to anticipate. 
 However, there was no outward evidence that a vulner- 
 able spot had been reached. On the contrary, he received 
 the winged shafts with the most exasperating indiffer- 
 ence and good nature. Perhaps he considered turn about 
 fair play, and was entirely willing that the other side 
 should have a fling. Perhaps, again, he merely bided his 
 time when he might catch his charming tormentor off her 
 guard, and with one fell swoop put to rout the arch 
 enemy persistently preying upon his good nature. Many 
 things come to him who waits and to her as well. 
 
 "Still in the land of dreams ?" she queried, pausing on 
 the landing, and contemplating the man of thoughtful 
 mien, who chanced at that moment to be alone in the liv- 
 ing-room, "Not a penny for your thoughts, but your 
 thoughts gratis. Surely none but a lover could gaze so 
 far away into nothingness and find so much to interest 
 him." 
 
 "Man is ever at a disadvantage with your sex. Even 
 his innermost thoughts are not sacred from intrusion, but 
 must be laid bare at the passing fancy of the first fair 
 creature who chances to interest herself in his behalf," 
 he replied, with complacent resignation. 
 
 "Now that I have discovered your secret you must 
 take me intb your confidence. Now don't tell me that I 
 am entirely wrong I simply refuse to have my divina- 
 tions ruthlessly upset. Besides, you have already com- 
 mitted yourself tacitly admitted that you are a slave to
 
 LOVE, INDEED 143 
 
 the divine passion," she insisted, with laughing good 
 nature. 
 
 "Strange to say, I don't know," he said, somewhat 
 doubtfully. "Sometimes I think I may have experienced 
 the great passion ; again I am not so sure." 
 
 "How very interesting! Give me your symptoms, sir, 
 and I will very quickly set your mind at rest as to 
 whether you are suffering from an acute attack, or from 
 a counterfeit presentment." 
 
 "You are most kind to interest yourself in my poor love 
 affairs; yet perhaps you may be able to assist me very 
 appreciably a woman's insight is so much deeper than 
 a man's." 
 
 "That you are willing to confide in me is a compli- 
 ment in itself, and in return for your confidence, I shall 
 be very interested, and render my very best judgment. 
 I shall remain right here where I calmly sat last evening 
 and permitted myself to be assailed and reviled by a 
 comparative stranger. Aren't you ashamed of yourself 
 to-day, sir? I have since wondered how I came to put 
 up with your insolence. But that is another story. We 
 are friends now, and you have a very interesting story 
 to tell me, I am sure." 
 
 "I believe the story is not without a certain element 
 of interest," he modestly admitted. 
 
 "You must tell me everything reserving nothing. 
 The whole truth to your doctor, lawyer and love's con- 
 fessor," she stipulated. "Please begin at once I am all 
 impatience." 
 
 "It is not a long story I shall trespass but little upon 
 your good nature. It all happened in Chicago in a very 
 brief interval, I may say. One late afternoon, some six
 
 144 MISTER BILL 
 
 months ago, I chanced to be passing along Randolph 
 Street, between State and Wabash I mention these little 
 details, not because they have a direct bearing upon the 
 vital point in question, but merely to localize the incident. 
 My mind, as I well remember, was busily engaged with 
 matters of serious import, and my eyes, as not infre- 
 quently happens when my mind is thus employed, were 
 directed downwards. Suddenly, without volition of my 
 own, I could almost swear, I raised my eyes and looked 
 directly into those of a lady who chanced to be passing at 
 that instant." 
 
 "How very interesting!" exclaimed the fair confessor. 
 "Please go on quickly I can see possibilities." 
 
 "She was a beautiful creature !" he continued, with pro- 
 found emphasis. "I shall not attempt to describe her 
 mere words are inadequate to portray such loveliness 
 as met my eyes." 
 
 "How beautiful she must have been !" she unconscious- 
 ly exclaimed. "Was she tall and fair, or I want to 
 know more about her !" she protested. 
 
 "I think that the instant our eyes met," he continued, 
 ignoring her protest, "I stopped short and, I dare say, 
 gave other outward evidence of the tumult raging within 
 me. That this was not our first meeting that I had 
 known her at some remote period of my existence was the 
 strange freak my fancy played me. The sensation of 
 ecstatic bliss that accompanied this unaccountable fancy 
 is beyond my power to describe. Was it a soul recogni- 
 tion? Was it merely a chance happening? Or was it 
 only fancy on my part? What was it that was the 
 vexed question. No especial hypothesis seemed strug- 
 gling for recognition. My subjective consciousness evi-
 
 LOVE, INDEED 145 
 
 dently deemed it unnecessary or inexpedient to enlighten 
 my grosser self." 
 
 "What happened then?" she demanded, with eager in- 
 terest. "Please do not stop at such a very interesting 
 situation." 
 
 "When I finally recovered my presence of mind, she 
 had passed. I turned, but she had disappeared in the 
 crowd. The glance, short as it was, had enabled me to 
 take a mental photograph of that fair face, and which- 
 ever way I turned, the same beautiful vision confronted 
 me." 
 
 "You turned and followed?" she demanded, with 
 breathless interest. "You followed her " 
 
 "No, not at all," he coolly replied, comfortably dispos- 
 ing of himself in the easy chair. 
 
 "Ah, I understand! You met her afterwards be- 
 came acquainted, and well, matters are not progressing 
 to your satisfaction. Am I right?" 
 
 "Cold very cold." 
 
 "There now, sir, I do seriously object !" she vigorously 
 protested. "That is past. I have forgiven you, and the 
 least you can do is to refrain from poking fun at me 
 which is particularly unkind at the present moment." 
 
 "Your pardon. I have no more wish to offend, than 
 I am ungrateful for your very kind offices in my behalf," 
 he replied, with deep humility. 
 
 "I fear I cannot hope to suggest the outcome of the 
 incident ; besides, I am not to guess you are to tell me, 
 and I am to render judgment, you know." 
 
 "My understanding, exactly. The evidence is quite 
 complete. The case now rests with the court. The point 
 at issue is : Did the individual in question, to the best of
 
 146 MISTER BILL 
 
 the knowledge and belief of said court, in that one brief 
 instant experience the great and divine passion the 
 highest and noblest the great desideratum of human life 
 said to be?" 
 
 "Well, of all ridiculous nonsense, I have never heard 
 the equal!" exclaimed the surprised and indignant court, 
 starting to its feet, "except my own in sitting calmly by 
 and helping to ridicule myself. As for your love affair, 
 you simply mistook the seat of your ailment you should 
 have tried a tonic. That is the opinion of the court to 
 which you are entirely welcome," and the outraged court 
 swept majestically up the stairs, leaving the cause of its 
 abrupt adjournment to continue his meditations undis- 
 turbed. 
 
 Her indignation, however, was not of long duration, 
 and when she appeared at tea a little later, she was once 
 more in full possession of her good nature. Moreover, 
 she frankly informed the family of the manner in which 
 a certain lady of worldly experience had been ruthlessly 
 duped a perfect brick swindling scheme, she declared 
 by a certain mild-mannered man from the West; and 
 casting an arch glance at the individual in question, she 
 expressed the firm conviction that in the future that par- 
 ticular lady would not be so fast to interest herself in the 
 love affairs of another love, indeed !
 
 1 
 
 CHAPTER XVIII 
 A FRIEND IN NEED AND DEED 
 
 TRUE to his promise, Waldron kept his young 
 friend in sight, and in various ways encouraged 
 an intimacy which could not result other than 
 to the advantage of the younger man. In this 
 closer acquaintance the young man came to understand 
 and appreciate more, and more the character of the man 
 with whom he had so strangely become associated. Al- 
 most immediately he became conscious of a new element 
 of strength in his life. He seemed to have suddenly 
 acquired a new process of reasoning which at times waged 
 bitter conflict with many of his preconceived and deeply 
 rooted ideas. The more serious and complex problems 
 of his life which he had been wont to regard almost as a 
 divine decree directed against his individual well-being, 
 gradually assumed a less portentous aspect in the light 
 of his new strength and understanding, while the count- 
 less petty annoyances, ever a menace to his peace of mind, 
 his hopes and aspirations, he soon discovered were but 
 the creatures of his fancy a weak spot in his undeveloped 
 character and entitled to serious consideration only as 
 they were permitted to obtrude themselves into his life. 
 In short, he was slowly and surely made to realize that he 
 was something more than a mere creature of circum- 
 stance; that he possessed possibilities and attributes in 
 
 147
 
 148 MISTER BILL 
 
 common with the greatest as well as the lowliest of his 
 fellows, which required only an opportunity for a free and 
 natural expression to expand and develop into the fullness 
 of their power and purpose an innate strength to be 
 made subservient to his will his servant rather than his 
 master. 
 
 "What particular burden is weighing upon your mind 
 to-night?" inquired Waldron, quickly discerning that 
 something was amiss with the young man, when he ap- 
 peared at his hotel one evening quite unexpectedly. 
 
 "I am simply ashamed to tell you. You will certainly 
 think me a hoodoo I believe I am." 
 
 "I am a first-class antidote for hoodoos," laughed 
 Waldron. "Fire away while I add a few deft touches to 
 my evening toilet." 
 
 "It seems that my father was interested in a wildcat 
 railroad somewhere out West," said Jack, finally. "For 
 some reason which I do not quite understand, it became 
 necessary to give Mr. Burrows of the old brokerage 
 firm of Burrows & Company a mortgage on our home 
 for a temporary loan of ten thousand dollars until my 
 father could realize on his stock of twenty-five hundred 
 shares, which it seems Mr. Burrows also retained, as he 
 was managing the whole affair. My mother knows little 
 or nothing concerning business, and her recollection of 
 the transaction is not very clear. Mr. Burrows now very 
 considerately explains that he has not mentioned the mat- 
 ter since my father's death as he had no wish to cause my 
 mother needless annoyance that would have been my 
 father's wish, which he was bound to respect. More- 
 over, he never dreamed but that the enterprise would 
 ultimately be brought to a successful issue, when he would
 
 A FRIEND IN NEED AND DEED 149 
 
 have enjoyed the profound pleasure and satisfaction of 
 handing the wife of his old and esteemed friend a very 
 substantial balance, after deducting the amount of the 
 loan. But alas, for human hopes and plans! Mightier 
 forces have decreed the futility of their efforts, and much 
 against their will, they have been compelled to abandon 
 their last hope, and to admit the enterprise a failure. 
 Those are not precisely his words, but substantially the 
 same. He sends my mother the twenty-five hundred 
 shares as a sort of mute evidence of his veracity and 
 laudable intentions, I presume, and plainly indicates his 
 preference for the ten thousand dollars to the worthless 
 stock." 
 
 "Which shows him to be a man of fine discretion," 
 Waldron quietly observed, as he drew the ends of a re- 
 fractory tie into place. "Had the stock developed even 
 small value," he continued, "Mr. Burrows would have 
 held security several times the amount of the mortgage, 
 in addition to the mortgage. Not a bad proposition for 
 Mr. Burrows, seemingly ; yet the fact that it did not so 
 develop suggests that his caution was not altogether ill 
 advised. Seems rather a late day, however, to inform 
 your mother of the state of affairs. Suggests the possi- 
 bility, to say the least, that she was bound to lose which- 
 ever way the wheel of fortune turned too fine a point, 
 however, to embarrass Mr. Burrows, if I know the man 
 and I think I do," he added, with suggestive emphasis. 
 
 "To show that he is not altogether devoid of fine feel- 
 ings, he tells my mother that a certain gentleman is will- 
 ing to take the mortgage off his hands at a discount, but 
 he prefers to arrange the matter himself, especially, I 
 presume, if he can secure the full amount. But there
 
 150 MISTER BILL 
 
 is a well defined suggestion that if immediate settlement 
 is not arranged, such a possibility must be reckoned with." 
 
 "And your mother ?" 
 
 "She thinks she must give up the place immediately; 
 she cannot contemplate the thought of owing anyone a 
 penny rightfully belonging to him. The place will hardly 
 bring that amount at forced sale, although before long it 
 will be worth a great deal more, as the long anticipated 
 improvements in the town are under way. No doubt the 
 man that is willing to relieve Mr. Burrows of the mort- 
 gage, sees his way clear to a good investment. Gee ! I 
 wonder if Mr. Chadeller is the man and if that was what 
 he meant that night when he washed his hands of me. 
 You know, he deals in notes and mortgages, and handles 
 considerable business for Burrows & Company not exactly 
 in their line. He has been picking up considerable prop- 
 erty down there recently. Yes, that's the combination, 
 as I'm alive !" 
 
 "Where is this railroad the cause of all the trouble?" 
 inquired Waldron, paying little heed to the excited specu- 
 lations of the young man. 
 
 "Oh, New Mexico, I believe! Seems to have been 
 sort of a private enterprise branch from the main line 
 running up into the mining camps in the mountains. I 
 did not take particular notice, but the certificates are so 
 gorgeously gotten up that they made something of an 
 impression on my mind. One scene shows a train of cars 
 running through a beautiful valley, grazing herds as far 
 as the eye can reach. Another depicts a scene up in the 
 mountains where all hands appear to be digging up golden 
 nuggets, and seemingly possessed of a wild desire to call 
 the whole crowd up to this golden Mecca where gold and
 
 A FRIEND IN NEED AND DEED 151 
 
 joy are free as air," explained the young- man, whose 
 opinion of Western enterprise was not flattering. 
 
 "What is the name of this railroad, or were you lost 
 to all save admiration for its stock certificates?" inquired 
 Waldron, mildly amused at this malignant outburst 
 against the country of his adoption. 
 
 "The N. M. C. New Mexico Consolidated, I believe. 
 If you attempted to locate it, you would probably find 
 that it began in the minds of its promoters and ended in 
 a squirrel trail up a tree over yonder or thereabouts," 
 replied the young man, with ill-concealed disgust. 
 
 "You are not altogether right, nor wholly wrong, in 
 your general supposition," said Waldron, after a while. 
 "This Golden Mecca to which you refer is the Arapahoe 
 mining district of New Mexico, and it may surprise you 
 to know that this railroad of yours of such vague begin- 
 ning and uncertain ending, is the outlet of this same 
 district." 
 
 "You don't say so!" exclaimed the youth, in breath- 
 less amazement. 
 
 "And what is more," Waldron continued, "in my hum- 
 ble opinion, your friend Mr. Burrows is the commander- 
 in-chief of a select band of stock-jobbers whose opera- 
 tions in Consolidated Properties and other stocks have 
 become so notorious." 
 
 "I know everybody knows. They have certainly 
 played their game to the limit." 
 
 "My business here is to take a hand in this particular 
 game so far as it relates to Consolidated Properties, as I 
 chance to be interested in these same Properties." 
 
 "You!" cried Jack, in deeper amazement. "And are 
 you making the fight alone ?"
 
 152 MISTER BILL 
 
 "I am playing practically a lone hand. For the pres- 
 ent, I am not in evidence. My brokers are quietly pick- 
 ing up all the loose stock in sight, not working the least 
 aggressively, however, as I do not wish to create the 
 suspicion that the stock is being cornered. I have been 
 using my best efforts to point out as unobtrusively as 
 possible the particular course I would have the opposing 
 forces pursue, and thus far they have shown a fairly 
 commendable inclination to comply with my desires. For 
 instance: Several times during the past two or three 
 weeks I have started small upward movements in the 
 stock, quietly taking on all that was offered at certain 
 figures I am not prepared to show my hand and go out 
 gunning for the large blocks. A few days ago I put the 
 mills on half time, and started a brisk upward turn. 
 They immediately discovered through sources of their 
 own that the mills were running short, and very properly 
 jumped at the conclusion that lack of ore must be the 
 cause, and sold quite briskly, well satisfied that the flurry 
 was not justified by actual conditions at the mines, which 
 would have caused a contrary movement. After gather- 
 ing in a goodly quantity of the stock, I stopped the 
 upward tendency, thinking it advisable to give them the 
 impression that they still controlled the market. It is 
 their purpose to keep the stock down and the public out 
 until they secure control of the Properties ; mine, to put 
 the stock up and bring the public in. In the final reckon- 
 ing I hope to catch them heavily short of the stock the 
 trap is baited with the same innocent appearing lambs 
 they have so often sheared." 
 
 "If it is really Mr. Burrows that you have to fight, I 
 don't envy you. You will simply be drawn and quar-
 
 A FRIEND IN NEED AND DEED 153 
 
 tered if you fall into his power," Jack declared, with 
 great emphasis. 
 
 "As for Mr. Burrows," continued Waldron, ignoring 
 the fearsome concern of his young friend, "he sacrificed 
 his railroad and its original owners to his stock-jobbing 
 operations, for with all his cunning he could never make 
 it a success while the mines were abused it became hope- 
 lessly bankrupt. He secured his commissions and thou- 
 sands of shares of stock bonus for promoting it, and has 
 never stood to lose a dollar of his own money, if the 
 truth were known, and the ten thousand dollars he would 
 exact from your mother is a little easy money in lieu of 
 what he had hoped the stock might eventually net him." 
 
 "I hope you will win many times I hope it," cried 
 Jack, impulsively. "But it will be a fight with the odds 
 against you. You are practically single handed against 
 a crowd of old hands at the game who know every trick 
 that can be turned a crowd that will deal you a hand or 
 two under the table if necessary. You do not fear them ?" 
 he paused to inquire, suddenly discovering that Waldron, 
 who was pacing slowly back and forth, was not giving 
 his remarks serious attention. 
 
 "No," said Waldron, after a silence so long that Jack 
 had concluded his query had not been heeded. "No," 
 he repeated, pausing in his walk and looking absently out 
 of the window, "I almost wish I did I might then have 
 some respect for my opponents." 
 
 "What do you mean?" demanded Jack, not a little 
 puzzled that such formidable opponents should be held 
 in so light esteem. 
 
 "I mean," said Waldron, turning away from the win- 
 dow, and continuing his walk, "that I am heartily ashamed
 
 154 MISTER BILL 
 
 of this squabble in which I am engaged I cannot dignify 
 it sufficiently to call it a fight. I am compelled to meet 
 my adversaries on their own ground and adopt their 
 methods. I, too, must become the gambler the crook. 
 I must play with marked cards because I know my 
 opponents are doing the same. I must play these cards 
 from under the table, and hold a few up my sleeve in 
 case of emergency. I must forget that I am a man and 
 subdue every natural impulse I possess. Success if 
 success it be is dearly won at such a price. My op- 
 ponents learn no good lesson but avenge themselves on 
 those weaker than themselves. This is not the work for 
 men ; men may descend to it, but men can never emerge 
 from it the very atmosphere is stifling to manly in- 
 stincts." 
 
 "I don't think I have ever gone into it so deeply 
 or in that particular direction," said Jack, uncertainly. 
 
 "Some of these modern Shy locks are so lost to all 
 sense of decency on this one subject of money getting 
 that I actually believe they would barter their very 
 souls' salvation, were it a tangible commodity on which 
 they could realize a few paltry dollars for temporal 
 gratification, and chance the possibilities of eternal perdi- 
 tion. Did they possess the power they would insist upon 
 running the celestial kingdom on the mundane principle 
 with the almighty dollar ever the paramount issue and 
 medium of exchange between the two worlds the sole 
 passport to choice and exclusive circles. In short, the 
 celestial regions would forthwith be placed on a corporate 
 plan a rake-off for the benefit of the insiders, and labor 
 unions barred. I don't know that I am altogether happy 
 in my expressions. I have no desire to be irreverent
 
 A FRIEND IN NEED AND DEED 155 
 
 merely graphically illustrative," said Waldron, with grim 
 humor and sarcasm. 
 
 "I don't think you irreverent," Jack earnestly pro- 
 tested. "I should say that irreverence was the con- 
 spicuous characteristic of those who usurp the rights 
 and privileges of others simply because they possess the 
 power." 
 
 "A few words more apropos of the subject we have 
 been discussing," Waldron continued. "I have entrusted 
 you with valuable information. It will be better for 
 you to know little concerning me or my affairs. I am 
 merely a friend from the West, if you like which is 
 all that is necessary for the present, in case you meet 
 other inquisitors than Mr. Chadeller. Tell your mother 
 not to worry about this matter, as you have reason to 
 believe that it can be arranged without any great sac- 
 rifice. Tell her also, to take good care of those pictures ; 
 they are interesting you know, and someone may de- 
 velop a greater appreciation of their value than you seem 
 to possess." 
 
 Left alone, Waldron continued pacing to and fro as 
 was his habit when in deep thought. Was it fate a 
 kind fate that had brought him into this little family 
 circle at the critical time when a guiding hand was so 
 sadly needed, a steady hand at the helm until the storm 
 was safely weathered? These young people, and the 
 elder scarce wiser in the ways of the world but the 
 merest atoms at the mercy of the great immutable force 
 bearing them on its resistless course to happiness and 
 hopes fulfilled, or dashing them down to the lowest 
 depths of pain and despair as they abided or transgressed 
 its laws. One false step, and the youth had been swept
 
 156 MISTER BILL 
 
 away, but a strong arm had drawn him back. Yet an- 
 other misfortune, and the cold relentless hand of avarice 
 was reaching out for the little sheltering roof, awaiting 
 only a favorable opportunity to wrench it from their 
 grasp a small delectable morsel contributing its mite 
 to the insatiable appetite of greed the remorseless power 
 of might untempered by right. 
 
 But a friend in need and deed had suddenly appeared, 
 coming upon the scene so quietly that his arrival had 
 not been heeded. Little difference had his coming been 
 heralded by blare of trumpets or beat of drums, except, 
 perchance, that he might have been laughed to scorn, 
 for what could he hope to accomplish single handed 
 against the forces he would be called upon to meet. Time 
 would tell. 
 
 So then, gentlemen, present your case that which 
 you are pleased to term your righteous cause. There 
 is a champion at court to-day where yesterday only a 
 widow and orphans opposed their way. Frail barrier 
 strong men. 'Twas scarce fair play. 'Tis now more 
 equal, and you must fight to win. 'Tis no stripling 
 nor aged woman that bars your way, but might and 
 right an able-bodied man who awaits your coming, 
 and cares not whether or how you come. Gentlemen, at 
 your pleasure.
 
 CHAPTER XIX 
 MAN MUST CONQUER 
 
 THE regular Saturday lunching crowd was in full 
 and animated attendance at the Waldorf. Wal- 
 dron had invited his friends to a luncheon and 
 matinee, which invitation all had enthusiastic- 
 ally accepted with the exception of Mrs. Winston, who 
 had insisted that the party was far too gay for her to 
 think of keeping pace with. The affair was generally 
 conceded to be a compliment to Edith, and to the desires 
 of that young lady all had meekly bowed. She had 
 immediately declared for the Waldorf, when the all im- 
 portant question of the luncheon came up for considera- 
 tion; she had never been inside the great hotel, and 
 this, to be sure, was a golden opportunity not to be neg- 
 lected. 
 
 "You are all right, Sis!" Jack had declared with 
 gracious condescension. "You can be your brother's 
 sister so long as you possess such fine discretion." 
 
 The little party was fortunate in securing a position 
 affording an excellent view of the large dining room, 
 and to the youngest member the scene was as a glimpse 
 of another world. Her eyes expressed wonderment; 
 her words quaint impressions of the people and surround- 
 ings. To her all was gold that glittered, and there was 
 much that shone resplendent. All were men and women 
 
 157
 
 158 MISTER BILL 
 
 quite ideal indeed, who shall say to the contrary! 
 Princes and princesses there seemed to be in surprising 
 numbers upon this particular occasion, and a king 1 or 
 queen might shortly wander in, if a certain Jack bet- 
 ter called a knave did not desist from ushering in these 
 notables and seating them promiscuously about the place 
 as best suited his diabolical purpose. To be sure, it seemed 
 not unreasonable that some of these beautifully gowned 
 and radiant creatures, or those splendid men, might be 
 of blue, or even royal blood. But when lords and ladies 
 simply dropped in on every hand, bright eyes glanced 
 suspiciously, and grave doubts began to appear on the 
 small horizon of their owner's simple knowledge of the 
 world, which rapidly assumed larger and darker propor- 
 tions, finally breaking forth in an outburst of indignant 
 protest that peremptorily bade Jack Winston "stop his 
 nonsense," she did not believe one word did Mr. 
 Waldron? And that gentleman, perforce, was compelled 
 to admit that he was not in a position to substantiate 
 any of the assertions of whatsoever kind or character 
 brother had made. 
 
 If the many were a source of interest to the few, the 
 latter were accorded no little attention. Cathalee num- 
 bered among her acquaintances many of the lunchers. 
 Theirs was a one-star company, Jack had occasion to 
 early remark; indeed one could hardly fail to note the 
 very especial attention accorded that bright and particu- 
 lar luminary by friends and strangers alike. 
 
 Not unconsciously, another member of the party was 
 receiving rather more than his share of the attention 
 from a certain quarter. Miss Constance Hillman and 
 Mr. Charles Francis Herringdon chanced to be present
 
 MAN MUST CONQUER 159 
 
 with a party of friends. Could that young 1 woman be- 
 lieve her eyes? "Really, there must be some mistake a 
 striking resemblance, surely !" Did Mr. Herringdon 
 know the gentleman ? "No that is, yes. Really, my dear 
 Constance, it can't be, you know By Jove! " 
 
 Old Major Rothford came stamping in briskly and 
 pompously as became an ancient man of valor, and catch- 
 ing sight of the little group, all of whom he had known 
 from childhood (with the exception of Waldron), charged 
 down upon them, and accorded his usual hearty greet- 
 ing. "Delighted ! Believe me, sir delighted !" he vigor- 
 ously declared, giving Waldron's hand a cordial grip. 
 
 It was characteristic of the Major to accord a new 
 acquaintance a hearty greeting, and to declare himself 
 "Delighted delighted, sir!" yet the penetrating glance 
 of the sharp old eyes, which seemed to have lost none 
 of their youthful fire, seemed to say no less plainly that 
 this hearty initiative was probationary to the good graces 
 of the old warrior. As for the opposite sex, the Major 
 was far too gallant an old soldier to lend himself to 
 even a remote possibility of causing embarrassment by 
 such tactics, and, moreover, would doubtless have averred 
 in his characteristic speech, "Egad ! you read in a wom- 
 an's eyes only what she pleases you to know," and he 
 was merely "Delighted, madam I assure you, de- 
 lighted !" bending his straight old back with a gracious 
 dignity a younger man might well envy. 
 
 "Bless my old soul !" he vociferated, "it does me good 
 to see such youth and beauty," glancing around the lit- 
 tle group. "Edith, if some young fellow doesn't catch 
 you pretty soon and lock you up in a dark closet, you 
 will break more hearts than Cathy one of these days. Ah,
 
 160 MISTER BILL 
 
 yes, my dear!" he insisted, in reply to Cathalee's vigor- 
 ous protest of "Major!" "You don't know the havoc 
 your sex creates among us. We're a sad lot, Waldron," 
 he solemnly declared, "they dazzle our eyes, steal our 
 hearts, and call us fickle. It's wrong all wrong!" he 
 declared, wagging his ancient head. "The odds are 
 against us." 
 
 "The Major is the most gallant old beau in New 
 York this very minute," laughed Cathalee. "Away 
 down deep in his heart is a firm and abiding conviction of 
 the very great superiority of man, yet mark you the 
 compliment he pays us." 
 
 "Egad! and I mean it every word of it!" he vigor- 
 ously protested. "My old white head, and a rebel bul- 
 let rattling around in my old anatomy, and a gout, are 
 all that keep me from making as big a fool of myself 
 as some of the younger chaps," he declared, as he bade 
 adieu to his young friends, who were much amused by 
 his infectious good humor. 
 
 The Major had retired from active service some years 
 since on a competency sufficient to afford his declining 
 years the comfort which a long and faithful service to 
 his country richly entitled him. He had been fighting 
 for his country since he could "tote" a gun "Fought 
 for her, and Egad, sir! bled for her too and I'm proud 
 of it. And there's a chip of the old block out there 
 in the West that will go on fighting for her so long 
 as she needs a defender, just as his old dad did before 
 him." 
 
 The old fellow was a modern edition of the old school. 
 He had kept pace with the times, yet his underlying 
 character and principles were essentially of times long
 
 MAN MUST CONQUER 161 
 
 past. He was old he knew it, and had no objection 
 to being called old. He was out of the running with 
 the young fellows he was an old fool! but "Damme! 
 there are older fools who have not discovered what 
 everybody else has known for twenty years or more/' 
 he had declared, with characteristic vehemence upon a 
 certain occasion when his temper had been ruffled. 
 
 He lived at his club, and despite his intimation of 
 infirmities, enjoyed very good health, and took life 
 very complacently. He was a general favorite with all 
 his acquaintances, and his mood seldom varied from 
 that in which he greeted his young friends. Cathalee 
 was his particular protege by virtue of a long-standing 
 acquaintance with her parents, and rarely a week passed 
 but the old fellow -[wended his way to the house on the 
 Avenue, where he was ever a welcome guest, and dined 
 with mother and daughter. "If that headstrong boy 
 of mine had only consulted his old dad, instead of going 
 off out West and marrying to suit himself," he frequently 
 remarked to Cathalee, with a regretful and expressive 
 shake of his venerable head. "Oh, that undutiful boy 
 of yours !" she invariably replied, with mutual commisera- 
 tion, and between them the far away soldier boy was 
 ever the "Undutiful." Had she been his own daughter 
 he could not have been more concerned for her welfare 
 and happiness. "Your old father and I were boys to- 
 gether, Cathy," he had told her more than once, "and 
 as my useless old life has been given me to make a 
 nuisance of myself, and be in the way generally which 
 is about all I can say for myself I am bound to do by 
 his child as he would have done for mine if circumstances 
 had been reversed. So, girl, you must make use of the
 
 162 MISTER BILL 
 
 old Major in any way that he can serve you, because 
 your happiness is nearer and dearer to his heart than 
 anything else in his worn-out old life. My boy, (he 
 speaks proudly) is a soldier he belongs to his country, 
 and has no need of his dad. What he is not able to do 
 for himself, his old dad cannot do for him. When I was 
 his age," (and the eyes of the old war-horse flash with 
 the spirit of youth) "I was always looking for trouble 
 and only happy when I found it and I was happy pretty 
 much all the time, as I look back over the march I've 
 made. You are without father or brother, my dear, 
 and a man who has your best interests at heart, even 
 if he is only an old duffer, may be of use to you. Men 
 understand men for what they really are, better than 
 women. There are strange creatures masquerading as 
 men in this world ; they may have a definite purpose, but 
 as yet it has not been made clear. In the meantime, they 
 serve to cut down the general average of decency and 
 respectability." 
 
 So it happened that the Major was a frequent escort 
 of mother and daughter, and more or less familiar with 
 the men of Cathalee's acquaintance. When, therefore, 
 a stranger appeared and evinced a desire to enroll him- 
 self among the no inconsiderable number of admirers 
 of his charge, he very soon acquainted himself with the 
 general worthiness or unworthiness of the new-comer. 
 Never obtrusive in these matters the Major was far too 
 wise an old campaigner to permit his laudable motives to 
 encompass their own defeat by too rigid a censorship 
 yet he had made it clear upon several occasions that cer- 
 tain individuals were a menace prolific of besmirching 
 possibilities, if no worse.
 
 MAN MUST CONQUER 163 
 
 "Better let them find their own level, Cathy," he had 
 told her. "Life is too short to stand on dress-parade 
 before the enemy merely to show him the strength of 
 your forces. Besides, there is always the danger that 
 some disgruntled coward or gibbering idiot may deal a 
 blow behind your back putting your heel on a viper 
 after his sting is poor satisfaction." And waxing warmer, 
 for this was a subject on which the Major never hesitated 
 to speak his mind, "Not alone the crawling species, my 
 dear, run out their tongues and strike an innocent hand 
 they are true to their natures and may be guarded 
 against. The others are anomalies, and for some inex- 
 plicable reason, form and instinct are not inseparable 
 more's the pity." His advice had invariably been heeded, 
 as Cathalee had every confidence in his judgment, and 
 was well satisfied that his generous and kindly old heart 
 would not permit injustice done to any. Moreover, her 
 own womanly instincts had told her that he had made no 
 mistake. 
 
 It was his custom to stroll down to the Waldorf in 
 the late afternoon, and with some old crony, or young 
 chap, he was sure to find around the place, indulge him- 
 self to the extent of a congenial cocktail. A day or two 
 after making Waldron's acquaintance, he chanced to run 
 across him in the hotel, and the two enjoyed a chat over 
 the aforesaid cocktail, at the Major's invitation. Waldron 
 liked the frank good humor of the old fellow, and was 
 not a little amused at his adroit and apparently disinter- 
 ested inquiries concerning himself, the real object of 
 which he was at no loss to understand. The fine hand 
 of the Major was easily discernible in thus turning to 
 account this chance meeting.
 
 164 MISTER BILL 
 
 "By the way, Cathy, who is this man Waldron?" he 
 inquired, in his usual matter-of-fact way, when next he 
 saw her. "Seems very much of a stranger nobody 
 seems to know him," he added, as a reply was not im- 
 mediately forthcoming. 
 
 "A friend of the Winstons and mine," she replied, 
 with a sly glance at the old fellow, well knowing the 
 object of his inquiry. The unmistakable emphasis on 
 the last word mildly surprised the Major his interven- 
 tion was clearly not desired in this particular instance. 
 
 "Had a little chat with him a day or two ago acci- 
 dentally ran across him down at the hotel," he told her, 
 not quite satisfied to drop the matter so informally. 
 "Seems a very decent sort of a chap, but better be a 
 little careful, my dear don't place too much reliance on 
 appearances." 
 
 "That terrible horse of mine has again distinguished 
 himself," said Cathalee, addressing Waldron. "Mr. 
 Chadeller," glancing at Jack at the mention of this name, 
 "is the latest victim. He essayed to manage the ani- 
 mal but yesterday, and the poor man fared rather badly." 
 
 "He is a beast of fine discretion," was the somewhat 
 ambiguous comment of Master Jack. 
 
 "My mother," she continued, ignoring Jack's remark, 
 "is in mortal fear lest I intend to use him for my own 
 mount which was my original intention and declares 
 if I do not dispose of him immediately, or if I permit 
 another man to endanger his life, she will complain of 
 me to the society for the prevention of cruelty to animals. 
 Whether she feels that the animal or the men have been 
 abused, is not quite clear. Therefore, Mr. Waldron, I 
 shall not trouble you, or permit you to endanger your
 
 MAN MUST CONQUER 165 
 
 young life in attempting to curb the spirits of my frac- 
 tious steed unless," she hesitated, seemingly reluctant 
 to accept as final the idea of parting with the animal, 
 "you are possessed of a wild desire to try your skill, in 
 which case I may be able to obtain my mother's consent 
 to offer one more sacrifice." 
 
 "I am not conscious of possessing just such a wild or 
 uncontrollable desire," replied Waldron, with indifferent 
 good nature, "yet if you wish to retain the animal I am 
 entirely willing to exert my influence over his fractious 
 spirits." 
 
 "I realized that my expression was not tempered with 
 the finest distinction," said Cathalee, with an assumption 
 of seriousness. "I do not believe you capable of pos- 
 sessing a wild desire for anything. You simply take 
 people and things as you find them, utterly indifferent 
 and careless of the particular form they assume. I am 
 curious to know the sort of man that really exists under 
 all this indifference. However, I accept your offer with 
 the modification that you will undertake the task to 
 please me, rather than from any particular desire on 
 your own part, which serves to make the obligation even 
 greater, notwithstanding which, I continue to accept," 
 she laughingly declared, "and you may expect to hear 
 from me before many days. Oh, I am quite serious !" she 
 insisted. 
 
 Maude had been a very quiet and interested member 
 of the party, and she promptly expressed the hope that 
 Mr. Waldron would be able to manage the unruly animal ; 
 and her eyes, as they regarded the stalwart form by her 
 side, said no less plainly, that she, at least, had no doubt 
 whatever as to the outcome.
 
 166 MISTER BILL 
 
 "Other bright eyes had wandered from one to the 
 other of the two persons arranging this very questionable 
 proceeding, and at its conclusion, their owner ventured 
 to hope that Mr. Waldron would not permit himself to 
 be injured by the unruly beast. Whereupon that gentle- 
 man explained very seriously and very confidentially, 
 to be sure that Mrs. Davidge, strange to say, seemed 
 to derive a great deal of pleasure in poking fun at him, and 
 was even then trying her best to make him acknowledge 
 that he was afraid of her old horse, but he would not 
 give her that satisfaction, to all of which that lady felt 
 constrained to gracefully submit, but a certain glance 
 bestowed upon that same gentleman was strongly sug- 
 gestive of a later accounting. 
 
 "Fractious steed, indeed!" laughed Jack Winston. 
 "Don't be alarmed, Sis. Mr. Waldron is only going 
 to put the old nag through a few fancy steps, and per- 
 haps one of these days we shall see Cathy and her ven- 
 erable steed doing stunts in the center ring. Walk up, 
 ladies and gentlemen, and see the great and only 
 Cathy" 
 
 Time and place are accountable for much, and in the 
 present instance may have had a very material bearing 
 upon the general well-being of a certain young man. 
 This was positively an imposition upon good nature, and 
 a calumny against a youthful steed of bluest blood. 
 
 "Jack Winston!" exclaimed the sadly maligned young 
 woman, under stress of righteous indignation. "I am 
 capable of but one fiendish wish at the present moment. 
 That you might be compelled to ride that venerable steed 
 is a retribution I heartily wish you. Venerable! In- 
 deed! The idea! Why, he is only a baby!" All of
 
 MAN MUST CONQUER 167 
 
 which was very confusing to the young miss whose in- 
 nocent concern for the welfare of her host had pre- 
 cipitated such tragic and conflicting expressions. Any- 
 way, she hoped that Mr. Waldron would not permit the 
 venerable, or baby steed whichever he might be to do 
 him harm.
 
 CHAPTER XX 
 
 FRIENDSHIP and character the demands of 
 the one reveal the strength of the other. As 
 fire is the test of clay, so no man may be 
 adjudged friend until he has been tried and not 
 found wanting. 
 
 On the following Monday morning while Cathalee was 
 looking hurriedly over her mail she came upon a letter 
 that for the time being dispelled all other thoughts from 
 her mind. She had read but a few words when the 
 brightness gradually faded from her eyes, and her fea- 
 tures became sternly, even rigidly set. 
 
 "Dearest Cathalee," the letter read, "I cannot rest 
 until I have sent you a note of warning indeed, I should 
 go immediately to you, were it not that I am leaving town 
 this very afternoon. 
 
 "Who could have so cruelly deceived you? Do you 
 of course you cannot have any idea who the man 
 really is. It seems quite like a dream that he, of all 
 men, should be here in our very midst. My dear, he is 
 a very dangerous man. He is the leader of a band of 
 men as reckless and unscrupulous as himself. He ac- 
 tually had the audacity to defy my father, and to hold 
 up our entire party quite like a highwayman. There 
 
 168
 
 WOMAN MUST CHOOSE 169 
 
 can be no mistake, my dear, as Mr. Herringdon also 
 recognized him beyond the possibility of a doubt. I am 
 sure he recognized us he could not have failed to do 
 so and will doubtless be on his guard, as must you, my 
 dear. Mr. Herringdon will give you such other informa- 
 tion as time forbids me, and you may trust to his discre- 
 tion in dealing with the man. I cannot bear to think of 
 what might have happened but for this chance recogni- 
 tion. I shall see you immediately upon my return in 
 about a week, my dear. 
 
 Lovingly yours, 
 
 CONSTANCE HILLMAN." 
 
 Again she read the letter and more slowly, her eyes 
 seeming to follow the tracing of each little word. The 
 maid came to tell her that her carriage was waiting, but 
 the words fell upon unheeding ears. A few minutes later 
 the maid again looked in but her mistress had not changed 
 her position ; she sat staring blankly at the letter. The 
 minutes sped by unheeded ; a half hour passed, and 
 she made no movement. She was thinking thinking 
 as she had never done before. She was at the crossing 
 of the roads, and she must choose for herself her own 
 womanly instincts must be her guide. 
 
 Strong characters seek guidance from within ; as they 
 are strong they fear not to trust themselves. Their 
 friendship is not a trivial thing to be influenced by vari- 
 able winds, nor does the breath of calumny waft it 
 away. Nearly an hour had passed when she suddenly 
 roused herself, and turning to her desk, deliberately 
 penned a brief note.
 
 170 MISTER BILL 
 
 "Dear Mr.' Waldron: 
 
 "Saturday is the day 1 130 the hour, which means 
 that you are invited to luncheon. You will meet my 
 mother a small formality to be observed after which 
 I may ride with you in the park. 
 
 Cordially yours, 
 
 CATHALEE DAVIDGE." 
 
 Calling the maid, she gave her a few brief instruc- 
 tions, and taking the letter with her she went calmly out 
 to the waiting carriage. She had chosen and she would 
 abide the consequences. 
 
 Waldron presented himself at the appointed time and 
 place. He immediately discovered that mother and 
 daughter were as dissimilar as two persons of the same 
 flesh and blood and dwelling beneath the same roof 
 could well be. He also learned that he was persona non 
 grata with the mother, and understood that he had been 
 bidden to come simply because it suited Cathalee's pur- 
 pose, and at best, the mother's acquiescence had been but 
 submissive. The inevitable conceded, nothing remained 
 but to make the best of an uninteresting situation, and 
 to observe certain formalities of which graciousness and 
 hospitality were not the necessary accompaniments. 
 Perforce, ill concealed, were several remarks addressed 
 to the guest adapted with commendable consideration to 
 his understanding, clearly demonstrating that Mrs. 
 Worthington had failed to discern any common ground 
 (indeed it is a grievous error to suggest even the ground 
 as common on which this aristocratic woman might 
 deign to tread) on which she and the stranger might 
 stand. He was from the West, she understood. Had
 
 WOMAN MUST CHOOSE 171 
 
 he never been in New York before? Yes many years 
 before. "Ah! Indeed!" expressive of resignation and 
 a duty conscientiously performed, for what could pos- 
 sibly avail after such an admission. The man was quite 
 impossible. She knew little of the world outside of 
 her New York, and possessed no inclination whatever 
 to make its acquaintance, while her desire to rub el- 
 bows with its denizens was even more remote. Her New 
 York was limited to her own small and select circle, be- 
 yond the prescribed limits of which she rarely ventured, 
 and around which she had revolved year after year with 
 the unvarying precision rarely attained by the human 
 mechanism. Scant encouragement and less welcome was 
 the portion of him who sought to enter this charmed 
 circle. Eternal vigilance was the price of its exclusive- 
 ness the indelible stamp of its tensity was apparent 
 upon every feature, the consciousness of its responsi- 
 bility manifest in every word and act. Had the guest 
 inclined to volubility he might, perhaps, have awakened 
 a keener interest in himself, by explaining that during 
 the "many years before," he had lived not far distant 
 on the same avenue ; in fact, had been born in a certain 
 mansion still extant which, if the truth were known, was 
 before the lady herself came to reside on the aristocratic 
 thoroughfare. 
 
 Cathalee was easily equal to the necessary formalities 
 of the occasion, and no embarrassing situations were 
 allowed to obtrude themselves, but even her admitted 
 talents and cheery good nature failed to dispel a certain 
 frigidness in the atmosphere, and it is no great hazard 
 to say, that while the luncheon doubtless served its pur- 
 pose, all were frankly glad when it came to an end.
 
 172 MISTER BILL 
 
 "Please sir, do not permit anything terrible to happen, 
 I beg of you," said Cathalee, with an air of tragic con- 
 cern, as clad in a simple and vastly becoming habit she 
 descended the steps. "I have simply been made to feel 
 that I am jeopardizing your young life, and dire respons- 
 ibility hangs over me." 
 
 "Your wishes shall be most consistently and conscien- 
 tiously observed," he laughed. "I certainly am not 
 seeking a reckless and untimely disposition of myself." 
 
 "Might it not be well to make the acquaintance of 
 your mount before assisting me?" she inquired, regard- 
 ing with some concern the spirited and restless animal 
 that was giving the groom no little trouble to manage. 
 
 "The formalities shall be duly observed, I promise 
 you," he said, extending his hand to assist her to mount. 
 
 "It would be extremely embarrassing to be compelled 
 to take to the street cars after all," she suggested, rather 
 more ill at ease than she was willing to admit. "Do you 
 know, sir, you have never even inquired what are his 
 faults," she informed him, her mount accomplished. 
 
 "That would be taking rather an unfair advantage, 
 would it not? I dare say he will confide in me as our 
 acquaintance progresses." 
 
 "Well, really, I don't think I am versed in equine 
 etiquette if it runs along those lines," she laughed. 
 "But judging from his behavior I should say that a 
 heart to heart interview awaits you." 
 
 "You might tell me his name and assist the acquain- 
 tance to that extent," he lightly replied, stepping along 
 to where the groom was having considerable difficulty 
 with the spirited animal.
 
 WOMAN MUST CHOOSE 173 
 
 "His christening was a marvel of foresight. He bears 
 the black and suggestive appellation of Wizard." 
 
 "Certainly prolific of possibilities. Well, old chap, are 
 you as black in equine arts as your color and name sug- 
 gest?" he affably inquired, laying hold of the bridle and 
 stroking the animal's head and neck, and glancing crit- 
 ically at the restless eyes. "Not such a bad eye. Just 
 a little headstrong a little spoiled and a little mis- 
 understanding all around, I guess. After all, you would 
 not be of much account without a will of your own, 
 would you, old fellow?" 
 
 "He's werry wishus, sor! He'll give you a dale of 
 truble, if no wurse," the groom hastened to explain, 
 earnestly solicitous lest a false estimate be placed on his 
 charge. "I'll howld him, sor!" he protested, as Wal- 
 dron would relieve him of further responsibility, "He's 
 a werry bad actor!" 
 
 "What is your name?" asked Waldron, looking down 
 at him rather amusedly. 
 
 "John, sor !" 
 
 "Very well, John, you may trust your charge with 
 me and I will return him to you a better and a wiser 
 animal." 
 
 "Its not the baste I'm thinking of sor! Shure, and 
 if he niver cum bark, divil a tare wud John Flanagan 
 wape. Shure he'll cum bark arl right the divil laves 
 no harrum to his own." 
 
 "You have said it, John," laughed Waldron. "On that 
 basis we shall get on very well," which conversation 
 amused Cathalee not a little, but the finer point was 
 lost upon John, who failed to discern humor in any form 
 even remotely associated with this "black baste." John
 
 174 MISTER BILL 
 
 had seen several men come to grief in their efforts to 
 manage this same animal, and knowing himself from 
 sad experience the temper of the brute, he reluctantly 
 released the bridle to the good-natured stranger, who 
 seemed not to realize the trouble he was making for 
 himself. 
 
 Waldron backed Wizard away from the curb, stroking 
 his sleek and shining coat, talking to him with easy 
 familiarity, his every movement indicative of the confi- 
 dence characteristic of a master and lover of the equine 
 race. To him the horse was endowed with instinct little 
 less than human. Indeed, he had said upon more than one 
 occasion that a good horse was far more companionable 
 than many a man, and as he had spent weeks on the 
 plains and among the hills, a faithful horse his sole 
 companion, the remark might perhaps be regarded as 
 something more than a mere figure of speech. He had 
 broken and ridden horses ranging from the fierce and 
 stubborn thoroughbreds, to the mongrels, even worse, 
 lacking as they do the finer instincts of the truer breeds, 
 and are simply brutes, worse confounded. To him, the 
 breaking and handling a horse was simple play, and the 
 average representative of the equine race was little more 
 than a child in his hands. So it was not strange that 
 he had hardly given a serious thought to the task before 
 him, but rather, looked upon Wizard merely as a spoiled 
 child in need of a little judicious correction. 
 
 "I am not surprised that you are reluctant to part with 
 him," he said, stepping back and regarding the animal 
 with unfeigned admiration. "He is certainly a beauty." 
 
 "Thank you, sir!" she replied, with prettily feigned 
 seriousness. "I believe this is the first real interest, or
 
 WOMAN MUST CHOOSE 175 
 
 anything approaching enthusiasm, that I have seen you 
 manifest. Wizard, you are developing possibilities 
 you have accomplished more than your mistress in much 
 less time," she gaily informed that equine beauty. The 
 admiration, however, was clearly on the one side, as 
 Wizard glared wildly and suspiciously at his fond ad- 
 mirer, and in various ways expressed an enthusiastic 
 desire to free himself from that gentleman's presence. . 
 
 The time had now arrived to proceed with the business 
 in hand. The man prepared to mount, but was im- 
 mediately made aware of an exceedingly well-developed 
 and no less undesirable propensity on the part of the 
 animal. Away went Wizard with a bound, and from 
 a less strong arm would have freed himself. As it was, 
 his antic was merely indulged for the moment, a vice- 
 like grip placed on the reins just back of the bits ex- 
 erting no gentle pressure on the tender mouth, quickly 
 bringing him to terms, and convincing his equine under- 
 standing of the futility of attempting to escape. 
 
 "You see, sir, his conduct leaves something to be 
 desired," said Cathalee. "I fear you will find him rather 
 difficult That is really his worst fault in other respects 
 his conception of the proprieties is fairly commendable, I 
 believe." 
 
 The animal's fiery spirit was now thoroughly aroused. 
 His eyes flashed fire, and he trembled in every limb; he 
 stamped his feet, tossed his head, angrily champed his 
 bits flicking bits of foam about, and in all respects be- 
 haved very badly for a well-bred horse or perhaps 
 very properly for one of his aristocratic breeding. 
 
 The movements of the man were now more brisk and 
 businesslike. Formalities had been duly observed, and
 
 176 MISTER BILL 
 
 the real question of supremacy of man or beast would 
 now be settled promptly and conclusively. Stroking 
 the arching neck, and running his hand over the shapely 
 shoulder on which the veins stood out like animated 
 cords, he arranged the stirrup to his liking, and taking 
 a short hold on the nearest rein, Wizard was suddenly 
 made to feel the heavy hand of retribution. With no 
 gentle movement the pretty head was brought around 
 almost to the limits prescribed by nature, and before 
 released without which he could not well repeat his 
 previous performance the man was in the saddle. It 
 would be difficult, to say which was the more surprised 
 the lady sitting on yonder horse, or the Wizard. This 
 was outrageous and unaccustomed treatment the pretty 
 and arching neck had received a shameful wrench. Such 
 ignominy must be avenged at once. He obeyed his ani- 
 mal instinct, and made a wild plunge that was his evi- 
 dent intent but again was he at a disadvantage to the 
 extent that his move was anticipated, and around came 
 that shapely head again, but well down, and his Wizard- 
 ship narrowly escaped being brought humbly to his 
 knees from the impetus so quickly checked. Very well! 
 As he was not permitted to go his own way, he would go 
 the way his head was turned with a vengeance. He 
 received encouragement entirely unexpected, and after 
 making several revolutions suddenly discovered that he 
 was merely chasing his own tail which, despite his most 
 frantic efforts, was as far removed as in the beginning, 
 all of which, to an animal of his spirit was an exceed- 
 ingly mortifying not to say monotonous proceeding.. 
 Moreover, he was a little dizzy, a little confused, and 
 decidedly uncertain of things in general, except that the
 
 WOMAN MUST CHOOSE 177 
 
 way of the transgressor at least for a horse in the 
 hands of this rough man was closely allied with a 
 cramped neck, a very uncomfortable mouth, and a pro- 
 nounced inability to follow his own inclinations ; and 
 as he was not such a very bad Wizard after all, he al- 
 lowed himself to be guided alongside his more sedate 
 stable companion, admitting his defeat like the sensible 
 fellow he was, and the two ambled amiably down the 
 Avenue. 
 
 "Well!" exclaimed Cathalee, expressing surprise lit- 
 tle short of incredulity, "however did you manage? I 
 have certainly missed something I did not even see 
 how it happened. I fancy Wizard has not even yet re- 
 covered from the shock poor fellow he seems quite 
 dazed," she said, glancing sympathetically at her pet. 
 "When you have a thing to do you stand not upon the 
 order of doing, but do don't you ? I think on the whole 
 I rather like your way, but I don't believe I quite under- 
 stand you," she told her companion, regarding him with 
 thoughtful interest. 
 
 "He is not vicious," said Waldron, apparently un- 
 conscious of the very pretty compliment paid him. "High 
 spirited and a trifle headstrong. There is a deal of 
 human nature in a horse. Give him his head once, and 
 he expects it the next time, and will fight for it and 
 a little more. Natural the man does the same. We 
 put a bridle on the horse, jerk his head, twist his mouth, 
 and perhaps beat him a further proof of our very su- 
 perior intelligence and the animal eventually reflects 
 the character of the man some horses resemble asses. 
 The man, unfortunately, is allowed to pursue an indis-
 
 178 MISTER BILL 
 
 criminate career, and lowers not only the standard of 
 his own, but the equine race as well." 
 
 "Help! Help!" exclaimed Cathalee. "What terrible 
 is it philosophy, or heresy? The sins of the animal 
 are surely visited on his mistress there is no other way 
 out of it," she laughingly declared. "And quite right, 
 too, I must admit on reflection, although the idea had 
 never occurred to me. When he came into my posses- 
 sion he was fairly well mannered, but gradually de- 
 veloped those disagreeable characteristics, and became 
 worse and worse after each man attempted to manage 
 him. He just knew he was master, and simply reveled in' 
 the consciousness of his equine superiority, until well, 
 until he made the acquaintance of a certain man and 
 that man, if I mistake not," turning a suspicious glance 
 upon her companion, "is very much inclined to apply the 
 same methods to man and beast."
 
 CHAPTER XXI 
 MAN'S REGENERATION 
 
 DO not flatter yourself, sir, that all this marked 
 attention is a tribute to your good looks and 
 magnificent physique," said Cathalee, with a 
 sly glance at her companion after several car- 
 riages had passed, and the occupants, nodding recogni- 
 tion to her, had turned their attention to her escort. 
 
 "Listen ! You shall know how very conceited I can 
 be upon occasion even to your detraction," she told 
 him, with great good humor. "You must know that I 
 ride in the park with very few gentlemen. My mother 
 has very decided ideas as to the proprieties involved, and 
 the sudden appearance of a handsome stranger," mak- 
 ing him a pretty salute, "as my escort, naturally excites 
 some interest not to say curiosity. I hope you are 
 fully conscious, sir, of the very great favor you are 
 supposed to be enjoying at the present moment. Now 
 have I not fairly outdone myself?" she demanded, with 
 engaging frankness. 
 
 "I fear that I have only succeeded in confusing you," 
 she continued, more seriously. "You are trying to 
 reconcile my mother's permission to ride with you with 
 her general attitude, are you not? Please do not try. 
 I may as well tell you in the beginning they are quite ir- 
 reconcilable." 
 
 179
 
 i8o MISTER BILL 
 
 "Please to define my responsibility. Incidentally, of 
 what conspicuous misdemeanor have I been guilty?" he 
 inquired, but apparently not greatly disturbed. 
 
 "I shall be perfectly frank. My mother does not 
 approve of you in the least. Not because of anything 
 you have done her seal of disapproval was placed upon 
 you in advance but my acquaintance with you. You 
 may trace your ancestry back to Caesar's time; you 
 may possess wealth untold ; you may be a member of an 
 ultra exclusive set in some quarter of the globe ; but as 
 you have not confessed to any of these possibilities or 
 their kindred my mother immediately assumes the lack 
 of them. To me such things are intensely shallow. To 
 be sure, I do not object to a well-defined position in 
 society; nor do I consider an ancient lineage a mis- 
 fortune; and one may suffer wealth with complacency. 
 My objection is to the homage and adulation paid to 
 these deities they are little less in the estimation of 
 many and to the desire to cast into outer darkness 
 those who chance not to possess a heritage of some- 
 thing or other for which they were in no way responsi- 
 ble. I find interesting people in all stations, and the re- 
 verse is no less true ; but if the innate man or woman 
 appeals to me all else is secondary." 
 
 "Yours is hardly the universal standard," he said, re- 
 garding his companion with interest. 
 
 "My mother cannot understand this affair to-day. I 
 do not in the least mind saying that I like your company 
 else why be here. You do not annoy me by making 
 love or saying ridiculous things. You have no hobbies 
 to bore me into little bits. Nor do you tell me of your 
 heart conquests, soul yearnings, escapades in general,
 
 MAN'S REGENERATION 181 
 
 of which as a class I am heartily tired. On the other 
 hand, you may be a very bad man, as I know very little 
 about you, but I am perfectly willing to take the chances. 
 I certainly know you for a very brave man; that you 
 have a generous and kindly heart I also know, and after 
 that I do not believe that you can be very bad, and 
 well, you have broken my horse, for which I am very 
 much obliged," she laughingly declared. 
 
 Life and vigor were in the very atmosphere this golden 
 autumn day and these two young persons in the robust- 
 ness of their matured youth breathed it and were made 
 light of heart and strong in mind and body. Nor was 
 the same boon denied to the lesser of God's creatures 
 and the spirits of their noble servants beat in close ac- 
 cord. Those arching necks and prancing steps and snap- 
 ping eyes told no less plainly than that joyous voice or 
 that hearty laugh of the keen enjoyment of man and 
 beast. 
 
 "That is Mr. Burrows, the great financier," she told 
 him, as a victoria of conspicuous elegance flashed past 
 containing, as was evident from the merest glance, two 
 opposing elements of humanity. An exceedingly portly 
 gentleman was sitting rigidly erect and well forward, 
 his conspicuously large hands resting on a massive gold- 
 headed cane, his gaze of scowling intensity directed 
 steadily before him. Reclining far back behind her lord 
 and master was a frail and diminutive creature upon 
 whom the vicissitudes of life had weighed too heavily, 
 and the slight form had slowly shrunk within itself 
 until its flickering light seemed in imminent danger of 
 being snuffed out by the first fair wind. "I am told that 
 he makes thousands of dollars every day. Is it really
 
 182 MISTER BILL 
 
 possible? I have much sympathy for her, poor soul! 
 She seems so utterly and helplessly oppressed by the 
 sense of his overpowering- personality that I sometimes 
 think she would be meekly grateful if a merciful Father 
 might take her away, and have done at once what man 
 is accomplishing by degrees." 
 
 And thus the two men who were destined before 
 many days to make history in the world of finance were 
 met for one brief instant. Unknown and unheeded on 
 the one side ; barely known and scanned with one quick 
 imperturbable glance on the other. 
 
 "I believe he is looked upon as one of the bright and 
 shining examples of the successful man of to-day," she 
 continued. "Perhaps you know him by reputation?" 
 
 "By reputation yes." 
 
 "It seems to me, if I were a man please note a wom- 
 an's logic I should feel it incumbent upon me to guard 
 my reputation rather more zealously than he seems to 
 deem it necessary." 
 
 "In other words, you would be a man first, " 
 
 "And last," she interposed. "I should feel that any- 
 thing less was a misuse and abuse of the powers and 
 purpose of my existence. However, that is only a wom- 
 an's idea; I dare say if I were a man I should take 
 quite another view of the matter women are so very 
 illogical." 
 
 "Bertie Holly!" she suddenly exclaimed, as they made 
 an abrupt turn in the road, and an effeminate youth 
 perched high on a jiggly cart whisked past with flourish' 
 of whip, doff of cap, and a reckless disregard for the 
 diminutive beast pegging away for dear life, his short 
 dumpy legs making a continuous rat-ta-tat on the hard
 
 MAN'S REGENERATION 183 
 
 roadway. "I could not imagine what was coming," she 
 laughed, with a sigh of relief, "and to think it was only 
 Bertie. Bertie is really very useful in his own peculiar 
 way. He seems never so happy as when pouring tea 
 for a party of ladies. Whether because of his particular 
 fondness for our sex, or because he fancies himself 
 more the man, as sole representative of his own, I have 
 never been able to discover. Bertie is a product of our 
 effete civilization he would hardly thrive in your stren- 
 uous country?" 
 
 "He would hardly be considered indigenous to the 
 soil. Such rare exotics seldom thrive in the trans- 
 planting." 
 
 "I fancied as much," she said, laughing softly. "I was 
 curious to know the particular form your expression 
 would take." 
 
 "There is a strange and lamentable divergence from 
 the divinely endowed man to the individual evolved 
 by contact with his fellows," he briefly observed. 
 
 "Oh, me!" she sighed, as a tightly closed brougham 
 rolled sedately past permitting a momentary glimpse of 
 a solitary figure muffled almost out of sight in furs. 
 "How can one put oneself into such close confinement 
 this lovely day? That poor creature is afflicted with 
 what I am pleased to term the sensitive habit. She 
 possesses a morbid idea that the entire social world is 
 lying awake nights plotting her undoing entirely ob- 
 livious of the fact that she is simply a slave to her own 
 jealousies and selfishness. Ah, me ! What afflictions we 
 poor mortals do put upon ourselves." 
 
 Several times he had surprised a look of curious in- 
 quiry directed upon him by his companion which he
 
 184 MISTER BILL 
 
 was at a loss to interpret. "I'll confess," she laughed, 
 when again caught in the act. "I have simply been trying 
 to discover whether you are interested in these side lights 
 I have been throwing 1 upon your fellow creatures or 
 
 "If I am satiated with civilization?" 
 
 "Yes certain phases of it since you are pie; 
 to place it in that way. I do not think you much in 
 sympathy with the idiosyncrasies of our much lauded 
 society." 
 
 "I confess my inability to take them altogether seri- 
 ously," he was compelled to admit. 
 
 "I thought so!" she laughingly exclaimed. "I am 
 well aware that yours is quite a different standard. I 
 confess I am rather curious to know more of that pe- 
 culiar standard by which you gauge yourself and your 
 fellows and I shall not be quite satisfied until I do." 
 
 "I fear you will find my regeneration rather a difficult 
 task. I have been too long removed from the influence 
 of civilization to be at once made over." 
 
 "I shall find it very interesting of that I am quite 
 convinced. I have strong suspicions that latent pos- 
 sibilities perhaps very interesting possibilities may lie 
 concealed beneath that coolly indifferent exterior," she 
 declared, with interesting frankness. 
 
 "Now there is a man whom I consider truly unfor- 
 tunate," she said, with an assumption of seriousness, as 
 a sorrel charger loped past bearing the individual in 
 question. "The poor man is really anxious to take unto 
 himself a wife, but to date, his quest for the particular 
 woman upon whom he can bestow his heart's affections 
 has met with dire failure. No, he seems not unduly fas- 
 tidious even admits that he docs not expcd perfection.
 
 MAX'S REGENERATION 185 
 
 He is at a loss to understand why we, as a sex, do not 
 find it to our advantage to be less artificial. Plainly. 
 why we persist in climbing to heights beyond our power 
 to maintain, only to deliberately cast ourselves down. 
 He frankly propounded the query to me, and I suggested 
 that he try the effect upon his sensibilities of less ecstatic 
 creatures the more common fibre the supposition, of 
 course, that the mean fall would be less and the resultant 
 disparity materially modified. The suggestion met with 
 even heartier approval than I could have properly an- 
 ticipated and I fancied that I detected a certain some- 
 thing which I promptly nipped in its intipiency. by 
 declaring my own irresponsibility and general unworthi- 
 ness of the trust I could not possibly appreciate such 
 a very literal interpretation of my suggestion. One need 
 not necessarily suffer crucifixion to -prove one's theory 
 need or. 
 
 "Man's vagaries and woman's theories afford a broad 
 field for speculation," was the noncommittal reply. 
 
 "At last!" she exultantly exclaimed when, after per- 
 sistent probing and circumvention she had succeeded in 
 extracting a desired bit of information. "Now I have 
 the key to the situation and I shall proceed to put the 
 parts together and draw my own conclusions," 
 
 "I refuse to be responsible for conclusions drawn 
 from such a source," he protested, good naturedly. 
 
 "Of course you do ! But what is one to do when you 
 are approachable only on the installment plan when one 
 is more curious than polite?" 
 
 "Still, it is palpably unfair to thrust conclusions upon 
 one ; misconception, not to say injustice, may result" 
 
 "The only alternative is a full and free confession
 
 186 MISTER BILL 
 
 when I wish to know things, otherwise I shall simply 
 be compelled to draw my own conclusions, and I may 
 I dare say I shall think very badly of you. So, sir, be- 
 ware! your reputation is at stake." 
 
 "Or rather, hangs upon a woman's fancy rather a 
 slender thread, I fear." 
 
 "Indeed, yes," she laughed. "I positively would not 
 dare tell you all the things I think of you even now," 
 she recklessly declared, and the sudden consciousness of 
 the literal truth of the assertion caused her to blush furi- 
 ously and to quickly change the subject. 
 
 "There now!" she laughed, with feminine exultation. 
 "There is the other side of matrimonial felicity a ver- 
 itable triumph of the weaker sex by force of will and 
 avoirdupois," as a carriage drawn by a dashing pair of 
 bays whirled past, the woman in this instance being the 
 dominant power. 
 
 "That couple will certainly bring me to grief some 
 day. I have not the least control over myself when- 
 ever they appear upon the scene. One is never pre- 
 pared for their coming, which perhaps is well. They 
 put in an appearance at odd and uncertain intervals, 
 and before one is aware they have said good-bye and 
 gone or zipped past in their mad race with something 
 or other which seems for ever keeping them at their 
 best paces. You must know that you have looked upon 
 Mrs. and Mr. Hannum please note the precedence. 
 
 "Is it possible? You quite surprise me! Well, then, 
 she bears the more or less enviable distinction of being 
 one of our foremost clubwomen goes in for reforms, 
 advanced ideas, and I don't know what all. What par- 
 ticular movement has she inaugurated? Sir, you are
 
 MAN'S REGENERATION 187 
 
 most unkind to develop this sudden curiosity. As you 
 insist, I believe that she has not as yet achieved greatness 
 outside her own particular coterie of followers, but she 
 possesses marvelous ideas which in time are bound to 
 be accorded due recognition. At least that is the oft 
 repeated assertion in the meantime we are all very 
 patient. She is a very busy woman but very consider- 
 ately devotes Saturday afternoons to her husband. The 
 implicit faith of the little man in her whom he loves, 
 honors, and obeys, and regards, as I am inclined to 
 think, as mightier than his maker, is beautiful to behold. 
 The marriage service should certainly have been reversed 
 to meet the exigencies of their union. The Major holds 
 some rather strenuous views on this particular subject 
 rather beyond my depth I fear. However, should you 
 desire to pursue the subject further I dare say he will un- 
 bosom himself for your edification." 
 
 This couple and others of like character receive but 
 little consideration from the old Major. But the Major, 
 as is well understood, retains some of his old-fashioned 
 ideas, among which is the homely belief that a man 
 should be a man, and a woman a woman no more, no 
 less and declares with characteristic vehemence, 
 "Egad ! what can you do with a woman who won't be 
 a woman, and a man who can't be a man ? I say marry 
 'em marry 'em! Keep 'em together and they'll do no 
 harm to the rest of the race. They're satisfied and no 
 one begrudges them their possessions. Progeny? Prog- 
 eny? Bah!" and the old fellow looks unutterable dis- 
 gust and commiseration. 
 
 From one subject to another she gaily flitted, rivalling 
 even the birds in the air in her strange and sudden
 
 i88 MISTER BILL 
 
 flights of thought and speech. Constraint she had flung 
 aside as a useless encumbrance. She was effervescing 
 with the joy of living; she was finding happiness in a 
 companionship such as she had never known before a 
 wild delirious happiness of which she heeded not the 
 meaning. It spoke from her lips ; it shone in her eyes ; 
 it rang in her voice; it echoed in her silvery laugh; it 
 radiated from her whole being. Life was only just be- 
 ginning. Ah ! what a wondrous thing is life how good 
 how sweet how precious how glorious a thing is liv- 
 ing when the flood gates of love are suddenly flung wide 
 apart and the great, surging, throbbing torrent finds 
 entrance into hearts that are hungry for its coming. 
 Love lives in all the things of earth ! Love throbs in the 
 very atmosphere! She was learning its mystic lore and 
 revelling in its intoxication the awakening was for the 
 morrow. 
 
 "Do you think me terribly bad?" she suddenly de- 
 manded of her companion, "because I do," answering 
 her own query. "I should not say such things. Oh, 
 yes! they are unkind only I don't intend them that 
 way. I am simply outdoing myself to-day, but I am go- 
 ing to be very good now." 
 
 "I trust my regeneration is not being accomplished at 
 too great a sacrifice," he very considerately suggested. 
 
 "Oh, no!" she laughed. "I quite enjoy it even if I 
 do offer an occasional apology for myself. You may 
 consider this the first of the series in your course of re- 
 generation." 
 
 Wizard's behavior for the most part had been fairly 
 commendable. To be sure he had made several attempts 
 to indulge his restless and high-strung spirits and only
 
 MAN'S REGENERATION 189 
 
 prompt and decisive action on the part of his rider had 
 forestalled an impromptu cross-country run or two. On 
 the whole, horse and rider had arrived at a fairly good 
 understanding when they drew up in front of the house 
 at the conclusion of the ride. "There, John, you will 
 find your charge a little more tractable and amenable 
 to reason," said Waldron, as he handed Wizard over to 
 the groom who expressed honest satisfaction that no "har- 
 rum" had been done. 
 
 "I possessed a well-defined intention of asking you 
 to call an evening next week," said Cathalee, "but I 
 fear that I have talked you into a state of depression 
 from which you are too pleased to be delivered to again 
 surrender yourself. However, if you feel equal to the 
 ordeal you may come and see me Thursday evening. 
 Very well Thursday evening. And believe me, sir, you 
 have done Wizard and his mistress a very great service 
 for which they are truly grateful at least one is, and 
 the other has not expressed himself to the contrary."
 
 CHAPTER XXII 
 "ONLY A MAN!" 
 
 YOUR coming this evening is little less than an 
 act of mercy," she told him, with gracious 
 warmth of greeting, as she led the way into a 
 small and cosy room off the hall where a cheer- 
 ful fire blazed in the grate. "I have been sitting here 
 all alone thinking the gloomiest thoughts that a morbid 
 mind could well conceive, and as a result, I am quite out 
 of conceit with myself." 
 
 The thought might have occurred to the guest that 
 the mood of his fair hostess and her environments were 
 not in full accord, for surely if physical comforts were 
 conducive to peace of mind none should be happier or 
 more content than she. 
 
 "You may take that easy chair I know you have de- 
 signs upon it; besides, I arranged it for you, and one 
 for myself on this side of the grate," she told him, with 
 simple frankness. "I shall venture to hope that you 
 may be very comfortable, and honestly glad you came, 
 and you may smoke." 
 
 "This is rank heresy. Please to remember that it is 
 my re-generation that you have undertaken." 
 
 "Quite right. Still, you may smoke you are the 
 master of your destiny after all is said and done." 
 
 "Why not concede as much for yourself? Or is it a 
 190
 
 "ONLY A MAN" 191 
 
 prerogative of your sex to be creatures of circumstance 
 and moods ?" 
 
 "I presume you think it strange that I should be 
 other than perfectly happy, unless you chance to be phil- 
 osophically inclined, in which case you will understand 
 that one may possess all the creature comforts, yet lack 
 the one great essential I know not what it may be 
 without which one may never find contentment. I am 
 given to this sort of thing occasionally, and I am glad 
 that you chanced to find me in such a mood. Perhaps 
 you can diagnose my weakness, and suggest a remedy. 
 Besides, you will know that I can be serious upon oc- 
 casion, and am not always the rattle-brained creature you 
 have just cause to believe me." 
 
 "I fear I am but a poor philosopher." 
 
 "I am not so sure. I have an idea that you would 
 underrate yourself, and permit others to do the same, 
 so little do you concern yourself with many things which 
 seem to be the aim and object of most men. I am at 
 a loss to understand whether it is indifference, pure and 
 simple, or a self-contained assurance of strength and 
 ability to cope with the world, regardless." 
 
 "I fear our subjects have become confused." 
 
 "I am inclined to think that I have yet to make 
 the acquaintance of the real man," she continued, ap- 
 parently unconscious of his remark, "although if I mis- 
 take not, I saw him that terrible night out in the moun- 
 tains, and again just a fleeting glimpse when he took 
 my horse in hand and quietly but firmly broke his stub- 
 born will, as he would have broken his pretty neck or 
 some portion of his anatomy, had he not obeyed him. 
 On the whole, I rather like obscure possibilities which
 
 192 MISTER BILL 
 
 may pop out at any moment and prove intensely inter- 
 esting." 
 
 "All of which is a lamentable fall from a very inter- 
 esting to a very commonplace subject. This mood 
 has it taken wings already?" he inquired, with kindly 
 interest. 
 
 "Very well, sir, since you insist upon returning to 
 my moody self, the responsibility be on your head. I 
 believe I have not told you that much of my time is 
 given to charity work. Know then, that I am interested 
 in the general work, and one little haven of rest is en- 
 tirely dependent upon me for its sustenance. I took up 
 this work originally, I fancy, because I was fitted for 
 little else. A mere passive existence never appealed to 
 me. Society, very well in its way, eventually became 
 stupid and inane, and a continued existence without 
 definite purpose seemed as unwarrantable as undesirable. 
 The stage was a possibility, but hardly a probability, my 
 mother holding the balance of power. Business in any 
 form was prohibited for various reasons. So charity 
 seemed the most promising field for my endeavors. 
 Nothing could tempt me to go back to my old life of aim- 
 less irresponsibility. I merely existed then. Now I live 
 live in the consciousness that, after all, I am of some 
 use among the great mass of human beings of which I 
 am one, and not quite the least. I hope you follow me, 
 otherwise I must seem deplorably stupid." 
 
 "You are perfectly clear and logical and interesting," 
 he assured her. 
 
 "Well, then," she continued, thus encouraged, "I throw 
 open my house each year and give a sort of something 
 never quite the same in name, and the name is fre-
 
 "ONLY A MAN" 193 
 
 quently a misnomer. The essential features, however, 
 are maintained with commendable persistency, and con- 
 sist primarily and principally, in compelling everybody 
 to stand and deliver hands up frankly and cordially. 
 I provide something in the way of entertainment, music 
 for dancing, and refreshments. All my friends take 
 tickets, and subscribe various amounts according to the 
 state of the market they tell me their extravagance and 
 dissipations, they don't tell me all of which have to be 
 reckoned with before charity. They are really very gen- 
 erous, although some, I fear, contribute under inward 
 protest and outward compulsion. I tell them that I am 
 their good angel, and literally shower blessings upon 
 them in thus giving them an opportunity to perform 
 a generous and kindly act for so worthy a cause. I do 
 not think that they all quite agree with me, and some 
 would doubtless prefer to bargain for their own blessings 
 and more than likely consider me a nuisance. I cer- 
 tainly dispense my blessings with a generous hand but 
 as it is all for a worthy cause my conscience suffers not 
 at all. By the way, the affair this year takes place in 
 two weeks you are invited, please to remember. I shall 
 see that you are duly and formally reminded. Please 
 also to remember that excuses don't go upon this par- 
 ticular occasion death alone cancels the obligation. 
 
 "All of which," she continued, after a short pause to 
 note the effect upon her guest of this very positive dec- 
 laration, "is apropos of telling you how I chanced to 
 be in my present mood. For the most part my exces- 
 sive spirits and abundant good health enable me to per- 
 form my work with little or no embarrassment, and only 
 occasionally do I lose control of myself and become
 
 194 MISTER BILL 
 
 well, moody. At such times, however, I am utterly un- 
 able to throw off the feeling of depression that comes 
 over me and I am only less miserable than the unfor- 
 tunates themselves." 
 
 "I understand I quite understand," he said, as she 
 paused a moment. 
 
 "Oh, you men! You men! What misery you cause! 
 I do not mean that you are responsible for all, but in 
 the great majority of cases the beginning may be traced 
 to you. Your very footsteps mark the way of sin, misery, 
 and death, in the mutilated forms and living hells you 
 leave behind. What does it all mean? What excuse 
 do you offer yourselves ? What are your prayers ? What 
 do you what can you expect? How dare you even 
 pray?" 
 
 "Prayers too many prayers are but the rites of 
 the savage adapted to the exigencies of his civilized 
 brother. The letter and not the spirit escaped the evo- 
 lution." 
 
 "What God what conception of a Deity can you 
 men possess that permits you to bring such misery 
 such pitiable miserable misery into the world? Have 
 you no better no loftier conception of a Deity than the 
 savage? Is your God of no finer parts than his hideous 
 monstrosity? Do you, too, think to purchase immunity 
 from the righteous wrath of your God by dropping re- 
 luctant tribute into the temple plate, even as the unlet- 
 tered savage casts burnt offerings at the shrine of his 
 grinning joss, congratulating yourself that the reckon- 
 ing is paid in full, and that your ill-gotten gold is a 
 recompense for the bodies you have maimed, the hearts 
 you have broken, and the lives you have destroyed?
 
 "ONLY A MAN" 195 
 
 Tell me, pray, what have you to say for yourself?" 
 
 "Guilty, I fear guilty without extenuating circum- 
 stances." 
 
 "Ah, yes, guilty! We know that but why? Why 
 are men so cruel so selfish so unrighteous?" 
 
 "Unfortunately the essentials of an alibi for my sex 
 are sadly lacking. Your arraignment is as justified 
 as it is scathing more could not well be said. More- 
 over, your queries involve some of the great problems 
 of life, and I fear I am too little competent to adjust 
 those profound matters to your satisfaction. Moreover, 
 again " 
 
 "I don't want any more 'moreovers'," she petulantly 
 interrupted. "Please be serious I am, quite. I don't like 
 you to say sarcastic things when I am in earnest, and I 
 fear you are terribly capable." 
 
 "The general subject is prolific of countless theories. 
 We should doubtless fail to agree and fall to arguing; 
 result, bad tempers and dissolution of friendship. Dis- 
 cretion is not the least of wisdom." 
 
 "Please don't," she protested. "I am not compelled 
 to agree with you, and may not, as you suggest. Never- 
 theless I should like to know your ideas. Your life has 
 been so radically different from that of the men I know, 
 it is only fair to assume that you possess ideas con- 
 siderably at variance with theirs as well." 
 
 "Alan offers little novelty for introspection; he is a 
 too well thumbed volume to afford new sensations," he 
 briefly observed, apparently not inclined to be drawn 
 into argument. 
 
 "Besides," she continued, with engaging frankness, 
 "I really wish to know more about you your real self.
 
 196 MISTER BILL 
 
 There is something which persists in eluding me 
 something of which I am intensely conscious at times, 
 yet am unable to explain to my satisfaction my curiosity 
 is quite aroused, you see." 
 
 "The situation is rapidly becoming involved. Curi- 
 osity a woman's curiosity is not to be lightly re- 
 garded." 
 
 "Nor ignored," she declared very positively. "And 
 now you are going to be very civil and tell me how 
 you came to be so big and strong; why you are so in- 
 different to things and people ; how you know so many 
 things you are not supposed to know anything about; 
 and and who you really are," she told him, with a direct- 
 ness of purpose not to be mistaken. 
 
 "I fear I shall have considerable difficulty in extricating 
 myself from the mass of contradictions in which I find 
 myself," he replied, quietly amused at the frank avowal 
 which had come at last. 
 
 "You must not laugh at me. You must know that I 
 am not prompted by mere idle curiosity, but by an honest 
 and sincere desire to know more about you and your 
 life from your own lips," she earnestly protested. 
 
 "What you ask is no more than is justly due you," 
 he told her, more seriously, after an interval of quiet 
 contemplation of the flames, "and I will gladly tell you 
 anything that can be of any possible interest to you. 
 I hardly know where to begin," he said, very simply, 
 "but if there be anything of interest in my life, it must 
 necessarily date from my advent into the Western coun- 
 try, as my career up to that time differed not materially 
 from that of the average New York youth." 
 
 "Ah!" she softly sighed.
 
 "ONLY A MAN" 197 
 
 "I had completed but a small portion of my university 
 course when the loss of both my parents one following 
 the other in quick succession and the further loss of all 
 my worldly possessions, threw me upon my own re- 
 sources. For the first time I was made to feel the heavy 
 hand of misfortune, and not a few were the rough edges 
 and sharp corners I ran against in making the ac- 
 quaintance of that new world to which I almost im- 
 mediately betook myself. In those troublous times was 
 laid the foundation of such character as I possess 
 a process which meant the making or the breaking of the 
 youth. 
 
 "This new country was a never failing source of 
 interest and wonderment to my young mind, and many 
 lonely hours in the saddle, on the trail, and in the quiet 
 of the night, were spent in silent contemplation of its 
 wondrous beauties and awe-inspiring mysteries. The 
 marvelous mountain ranges raising their heads high into 
 the clouds with majestic and appalling grandeur, held for 
 me a peculiar fascination. And when from some high 
 peak I gazed into boundless space in any direction my 
 eyes chanced to roam but to discern new wonders limited 
 only by the range of my own small vision, a great awe 
 and veneration would steal into my soul a mute tribute 
 to the wondrous greatness of which I was the merest 
 atom. Instead of passing from my mind as these 
 thoughts and scenes became more familiar, my men- 
 talities began to expand, and grow richer and stronger 
 in the contemplation of these wonderful works of na- 
 ture, and the secret processes by which she wrought in 
 her various kingdoms. The relation of man to these 
 great laws was a never-ending source of interest to me,
 
 198 MISTER BILL 
 
 and in this untrammelled life I came into close commun- 
 ion with primitive nature, and seemed to breathe and 
 absorb the simple truths which had been denied me in 
 the artificial life from which I had lately emerged." 
 
 "Yes yes!" she gently breathed. 
 
 "By degrees the littleness and narrowness of my early 
 life dropped away. The countless envies, cravings, pas- 
 sions, jealousies and strivings, which I had once looked 
 upon as co-existent with life, disappeared one after the 
 other, and in their stead came a depth and breadth of 
 thought, a health and strength of mind and body as free 
 and untrammelled from the confines of my earlier exist- 
 ence as the very air I breathed. Have I taken up the 
 particular thread of interest to you?" he paused to in- 
 quire. "Please be frank, as I seek only to gratify your 
 desires." 
 
 "Ah, yes! Those are the things above all others 
 I would know," she impulsively declared. "I begin to 
 see to understand. Please go on." 
 
 "Man possesses possibilities of which he has little 
 conception, and even less understanding, and it is only 
 occasionally, perhaps by the merest chance, that he 
 catches even a passing glimpse of his real self the self 
 he persists in hiding even from himself. I do not know 
 that I am altogether clear. Perhaps I can give a stronger 
 point to my meaning through the medium of two inci- 
 dents which came under my notice not long since. Each 
 incident is more eloquent, more comprehensive, more con- 
 vincing of the truth than volumes which might be writ- 
 ten to prove or disprove the same assertion. Do you 
 mind if I walk ? I am more accustomed to keeping pace 
 with my thoughts this inactivity is demoralizing."
 
 "ONLY A MAN" 199 
 
 "Indeed, no ! Take the floor by all means. I fear you 
 are much too comfortable to be long interesting. We 
 are an unfortunate lot," she sighed, "we make a man 
 comfortable, and he falls asleep on our hands; we neg- 
 lect his comfort and he stops at his club. Please to 
 remember, sir, that you have a very interested listener." 
 
 "Life in the mining camps and frontier towns of the 
 West affords little in the way of amusement, and the 
 advent of an itinerant Uncle Tom's Cabin Company is 
 hailed as the event of the theatrical season. On such an 
 eventful occasion occurred one of the incidents to which 
 I refer. This particular company was neither better nor 
 worse than others of its kind, which is equivalent to 
 saying that it was pretty bad ; yet they serve a certain 
 and distinct purpose. At some stage of the proceedings 
 I was paying little heed to what was transpiring on 
 the stage, but you must know that every loyal citizen 
 owes it to himself not less than to the community at 
 large to be present upon these auspicious occasions a 
 girl, as uncouth and uninteresting as may well be con- 
 ceived, slouched out upon the stage. As she came into 
 the uncertain glimmer of the tallow footlights, she ap- 
 proached dangerously near the ludicrous in fact, she 
 quite arrived. She held a battered old cornet in one 
 hand, drew the back of the other across her mouth, 
 grotesquely distorted her begrimed features, stood upon 
 first one foot and then the other, the while she con- 
 templated her audience with manifest discomfiture. The 
 old horn under most favorable conditions seemed capable 
 of emitting little more than a few wheezy tones, and 
 an already afflicted audience resigned itself to suffer 
 further inflictions at the hands of this grotesque indi-
 
 200 MISTER BILL 
 
 vidual. She had hardly sounded the first note, however, 
 before the audience was made aware that too hasty 
 judgment had been accorded. She played several familiar 
 airs creative of interest on the part of her auditors, grad- 
 ually developing into manifest enthusiasm as she pro- 
 ceeded, and when, with a grand flourish of clarion tones 
 and martial strains, she swung into the grand old Star 
 Spangled Banner, she seemed to strike an answering 
 chord in every breast, which reverberated again and again 
 throughout each human organism, and communicated it- 
 self to the very atmosphere. In an instant the rough 
 little audience was in transports of joy, and when she 
 finally concluded her performance with Home Sweet 
 Home, every man, woman and child was under the magic 
 spell of her song joy was unconfined. Grizzled old 
 miners grasped hands and hugged one another like long 
 lost brothers under the influence of this sudden outpour- 
 ing of spirit, and tears rolled down rough and hardened 
 faces long since strangers to such emotions. The few 
 who possessed wives became suddenly conscious of a 
 greater appreciation for their helpmates. Children were 
 grasped in strong arms and held aloft, and various other 
 antics indulged which could only be performed by human 
 beings under stress of a strong innate volition. 
 
 "It was good to see more it was grand and glorious, 
 and never to be forgotten. It was not a mere demonstra- 
 tion of rough and uncouth men and women pioneers 
 and wanderers in that wild country who chanced to be 
 amused it was the real man and woman within the 
 spirit of nature, of God the same that is within you 
 and me, suddenly awakened without volition of the in- 
 dividual by the clarion tones and sweet refrains. It
 
 "ONLY A MAN" 201 
 
 mattered not whence came those sounds. That they were 
 blown through a battered horn by a freak of a girl pos- 
 sessed no meaning. It was the song they sang that 
 spoke to the man within, and souls burst forth in quick 
 response and glad acclaim, freed from the bondage of 
 the sordid, the artificial, and attuned for the time to the 
 inspiration of love and fraternal spirit the real the 
 true the natural." 
 
 "Ah, yes!" she impulsively exclaimed, in full accord 
 with the spirit of the incident. "It was it must have 
 been grand and glorious ! It was good to catch even 
 a passing glimpse of real men and women. And how 
 well you tell it I can fancy it all." 
 
 "For days after, the effect upon the dwellers of the 
 Httle hamlet was manifest. Hearts were lighter and 
 work seemed less irksome. Whistle and song were in 
 the very air. Hearty good will rang in the salutations 
 of man to his fellows. Even the sun seemed to cast a 
 softer and a warmer and brighter glow on old earth. The 
 cornet girl had gone her way, but the joy of her song still 
 lingered in the hearts of men. 
 
 "The other incident. Some weeks later a revivalist 
 came to the camp. Meetings were held and a religious 
 fervor was stimulated according to prescribed forms. 
 The exhortations continued with unabated vigor for a 
 week or more. Converts were made, others interested, 
 excited or frenzied to varying degrees. Doubt and anx- 
 iety were soon depicted upon the features of young and 
 old who were identified with the movement. There was 
 no whistle and song, or hearty laugh and passing 
 joke. Hearts were heavy and tense. The spring of 
 natural and joyous spirit had been dammed at its very
 
 202 MISTER BILL 
 
 fount, and eternal damnation awaited those unfortunates 
 who refused to accept in blind faith the bigoted and 
 blasphemous doctrine of pagan superstition and idolatry 
 the sole salvation of the children of a wise and benefi- 
 cent Creator. The vain reasoning the conflict of hope 
 and despair was pitiful to behold. There was nothing 
 tangible nothing real. No inner consciousness pointed 
 the way nothing appealed to the self within. All was 
 forced and unnatural everything dark and mysterious. 
 One small child poor soul took her religion so seri- 
 ously that her sleeping as well as her waking hours 
 were given over to piteous lamentations. Her parents 
 simplified matters somewhat by withdrawing from the 
 movement; they might be willing to suffer themselves, 
 but could not believe it their duty or even their privilege 
 to torment their child. 
 
 "Note the difference. Which was the true which 
 was the false? Which was the natural which was the 
 artificial? Which was common sense which should 
 never be lost sight of and which was devoid of sense? 
 The spirit of life, of love the great universal spirit 
 should be allowed a free and natural expression in every 
 human being; anything less is a flagrant perversion of 
 the primary essentials of human existence. Every liv- 
 ing thing abides the law of its creation except man, 
 who persistently refuses to conform to the law of his 
 being, but insists upon trying to improve, and only suc- 
 ceeds in surrounding with doubt, confusion, and dark- 
 ness as he steps beyond that which he knows and 
 theorizes upon that which he does not know, and more- 
 over, is not essential that he should know. A homely 
 simile, but entirely true in all respects, and I trust clearly
 
 "ONLY A MAN" 203 
 
 illustrative of the ideas I have endeavored to express." 
 "Clear, indeed! It has driven home a no less homely 
 truth. It is true undeniably true that we confuse our- 
 selves with endless problems and perplexities beyond our 
 power to comprehend when, if we did but know, the 
 simple the natural of our being is all sufficient for our 
 requirements if we but gave it an opportunity for a full 
 and tree expression. Shall we ever become masters of 
 ourselves of our destinies?" she sighed, despairingly. 
 
 "Yes, we shall become masters of our destinies when 
 we work as hard and as conscientiously to develop those 
 same innate possibilities as we now labor to pervert and 
 to stultify them. When we realize that there is a higher 
 law than the will of man ; that there is a greater victory 
 than the triumph of one human being over another ; that 
 there is no superiority of sex, but that each has its own 
 part to perform in the great universal plan, then shall 
 we have begun the development of the real man, and 
 to the extent we succeed shall we become masters of 
 ourselves and our destinies. Man's education has put 
 him in bondage to the almighty dollar he is the ex- 
 pression of his social condition rather than his man- 
 hood. His higher faculties, of which he is hardly con- 
 scious, have been sacrificed to unnatural ambitions, and 
 to the gratification of appetites and passions of his own 
 cultivation he is but the anomaly of his real self. Bit- 
 ter as are his experiences, and as flagrant as are his viola- 
 tions of law and order, he pauses not to heed the lesson, 
 but bitterly bewails God's inhumanity to man, and rushes 
 madly on to his inglorious end. He is the same old man, 
 with the same old appetite, and he would evade his re- 
 sponsibilities in the same old way. To woman long-
 
 204 MISTER BILL 
 
 suffering, patient, gentle woman all honor, all praise 
 is due for the restraining influence she exerts over the 
 erring partner of her existence, and to her will eventually 
 come humanity's greater blessing when her voice of 
 piteous protest is heeded, and she is permitted to lead 
 the way to a better and a truer life the rightful heritage 
 of every one of her children." 
 
 All unconscious of her attitude of pretty, pensive in- 
 terest; unconscious of the dancing lights and shadows 
 playing upon her sweet, serious face, anon leaping higher 
 and making mystic signs and passes above her shapely 
 head ; unconscious of all save the man pacing slowly 
 back and forth whose habitual indifference had gradually 
 disappeared since first he began to speak, and in its 
 stead had come an irresistible strength of thought and 
 speech telling her no less plainly than his words whence 
 came that power of which she was so strangely con- 
 scious, and his final words ringing with the force of 
 his manly convictions thrilled her feminine sensibilities 
 almost beyond control, and suffused her fair face with 
 conscious blushes. 
 
 "I knew it! I knew you were a good man I felt it 
 from the very first!" she cried, impulsively. "It is all 
 clear to me now you are a man! Only a man! I was 
 confused by the very simplicity of the problem. Yet is 
 it so strange, after all, when we are surrounded on all 
 sides by human beings so bound and fettered by the 
 artificialties of man-made laws, that we look askance 
 nay, almost with suspicion upon one of God's creatures, 
 who chances to be delivered from the errors and weak- 
 nesses of his fellows, and lives in the strength and full- 
 ness of his divine endowment his own, his true posses-
 
 "ONLY A MAN" 205 
 
 sions. Oh! that we might all shake off these burden- 
 some chains and shackles, and be ourselves just true 
 men and women." 
 
 And while the firelight danced and flickered and shed 
 its warmth and glow, a silence fell upon the scene 
 a silence that spoke more eloquently than tongue or 
 words. 
 
 "Ah!" she gently sighed, gazing pensively into the 
 flames, "but you could help me so much if you would. 
 You are so big, so strong, so good, and you know the 
 world and poor humanity so well. And just to think," 
 slowly diverting her gaze from the flames, and looking 
 up at him with a smile of sweet womanly confession, 
 '.'just to think, all the while I flattered myself that I was 
 the far more worldly wise. Truly it is my regenera- 
 tion that should be undertaken. And I think," she said, 
 not without some confusion, her gaze again seeking the 
 flames perhaps to hide the telltale flushes, "I think in- 
 deed, I am quite sure my curiosity has been appeased 
 at last."
 
 CHAPTER XXIII 
 ORDERS 
 
 EXCITEMENT was once more running high in 
 the little mountain mining town. Notices had 
 been posted at mid-day notifying all whom it 
 might concern that after that day and date all 
 the works operating under the management of The Con- 
 solidated Properties would be run on half time until 
 further notice. That night down in the town speculation 
 ran riot as to the meaning of this sudden and unexpected 
 move on the part of the directors of the company. The 
 news spread like wildfire over the mountains and down 
 into the valley and sent horseman after horseman gal- 
 loping into town raising a cloud of dust which hung 
 over the little community like a funeral pall. On the 
 street corners, in the stores, restaurants, saloons, and 
 down in the dance houses, it was the all absorbing topic 
 of conversation. 
 
 Rumors flew thick and fast, some attributing the shut- 
 down to the Eastern Syndicate which had at last se- 
 cured the advantage it had so long sought. Others sug- 
 gested a depleted treasury owing to the inability of 
 the company to realize on its stock. Still others told 
 of worked out veins, and a desire on the part of the 
 directors to withhold this knowledge from the public. 
 Whatever might be the difficulty it was generally con- 
 
 206
 
 ORDERS 207 
 
 ceded that any misfortune to Consolidated Properties was 
 a calamity to the community at large as the whole dis- 
 trict would once more be at the mercy of its old enemy, 
 the Eastern Syndicate. A gloom as heavy as the dust 
 laden atmosphere had fallen over the little community. 
 
 Later in the evening a mysterious rumor began to 
 gain currency that the present embarrassing position of 
 the company might be attributed to a deeply laid plot 
 on the part of the original promoters of the Properties 
 to dispossess the present owners. No one seemed able 
 to trace the rumor to its source, and the very mystery 
 surrounding its origin seemed to give it greater credence. 
 
 Other rumors of an equally mysterious origin began 
 to make their appearance reflecting more or less dis- 
 creditably upon the absent head of the company. Some 
 very heated arguments resulted and bloodshed was 
 averted only from the fact that no one seemed willing 
 to openly stand sponsor for these rumors against a man 
 who was not present to defend himself. 
 
 The directors of the company who were on the ground 
 had nothing satisfactory to offer in reply to the oft re- 
 peated inquiries and insistent demands as to the meaning 
 of their action, and the silence they steadfastly main- 
 tained, even in the face of some very uncomplimentary 
 expressions reflecting upon their management, was 
 ominous in itself. It soon became evident that they could 
 not, or would not, divulge the cause of their strange 
 move, and the conclusion was reluctantly accepted that 
 the company was in financial difficulties, and that one or 
 the other of the powerful moneyed interests had at last 
 secured a death hold on the corporation. 
 
 As the night wore on the excitement subsided some-
 
 208 MISTER BILL 
 
 wliat, the conservative members of the community sought 
 their rest, and things went their wonted way. Down in 
 shanty-town the fiddles squeaked and the pianos tinkled 
 discordantly. The lights flickered and flared and seemed 
 affected by the general air of depression. Along the 
 main street a confusion of sound was wafted out on 
 the heavy atmosphere. Voices became thick and gut- 
 tural, and an occasional hoarse laugh or wild yell told 
 plainly that "Old Red Eye" and his rum companion 
 "Forty Rod" were making their presence felt. Now 
 and then one of the rough fellows would break away 
 from his companions, mount his horse and ride away 
 into the night. The dice rattled, the roulette wheels 
 clicked, and the fiddles droned on dismally into the heavy 
 morning hours. 
 
 The orders to place the works on reduced time came 
 no less suddenly to the directors than to the townspeo- 
 ple, nor were they any wiser as to the real cause thereof, 
 or of the result to be accomplished by this move. "Down 
 she goes !" Dave had unhesitatingly declared, when he 
 had seen with his own eyes the brief instructions from 
 the President of the company. 
 
 "Them's the orders plain as day," Joe affirmed with 
 equal positiveness, after a prolonged study of the 
 letter. 
 
 "There'll be the devil to pay down below," said an- 
 other of the directors, who chanced to be present, nod- 
 ding his head towards the town. 
 
 "There'll be worse nor him to pay up here, if we 
 don't," said Dave, with deep significance. "Get out the 
 notices, and we'll start her to goin'. Can't set things 
 to bilin' too quick to suit me."
 
 ORDERS 209 
 
 "Might as well touch her off ourselves if there's any 
 blowin' up to be done," said Joe, with commendable 
 resignation. "I reckon somebody may be goin' up along 
 with us all this ain't jest to amuse us." 
 
 "Likely to please some folks a mighty sight, or I 
 ain't much at guessin'," said Dave. 
 
 "Tenderfoot and his pals, I 'low you mean?" queried 
 Joe, to which Dave nodded his assent. 
 
 "That's the rope he's givin' 'em," said Dave. "All 
 they've got to do now is to tangle theirselves up in it. 
 Tenderfoot don't dare show his head in camp, but he 
 ain't far off, and he'll know what's goin' on soon 
 enough." 
 
 "I suspicioned Mister Bill wan't doin' all that thinkin' 
 for nothin', but I 'low 1 that Tenderfoot business was 
 too much for me. Has to be a hole in a grindstone for 
 me to see through," said Joe. 
 
 Accompanying the orders concerning the works was 
 a well defined suggestion that Dave and Joe might feel 
 inclined to pay the East their long anticipated visit. The 
 writer would be able to devote considerable attention 
 to them, and all things considered, the opportunity 
 seemed more favorable than might occur again. 
 
 "What's that mean?" demanded Joe. 
 
 "Means he wants us to come them's our orders 
 couldn't be no plainer," replied Dave, with gruff good 
 nature. 
 
 "What do you reckon he wants us back there for? 
 We can't do him no good." 
 
 "Dunno. Maybe he wants to get us away from here, 
 seein' as how there ain't much of anything for us to
 
 210 MISTER BILL 
 
 do jest now except to get into trouble or talk too much 
 which ain't no ways unlikely." 
 
 "Guess you're right," said Joe, after thinking it over 
 for a while. "That's jest his way of puttin' it mighty 
 perlite, 'pears to me." 
 
 "He's too perlite to say what he thinks maybe it 
 wouldn't sound so well to us, neither. A hint's good as 
 a kick from some folks." 
 
 "Coin'?" queried Joe. 
 
 "Sure nothin' else to do. Orders are orders." 
 
 "No use buttin' agin that," Joe solemnly conceded. 
 
 The following morning when Dave appeared at the 
 office somewhat later than was his custom, he was in 
 no very amiable frame of mind strictly speaking, he 
 was mad. 
 
 "I 'lowed Mister Bill knew what he was about when 
 he wanted to get us away from here," he growled. "All 
 settled down below that we're dead ones. It's the hardest 
 work I've done in many a day to keep from runnin' foul 
 of some of them chaps that seem to know so much about 
 our business, and are kind of dirty about it, jest 'cause 
 they think we're done for. Strange how some folks 
 get so much courage all to once when they think a feller 
 has lost his grip." 
 
 "Don't mean nothin' not worth botherin' our heads 
 about. Let 'em carry on for a spell our turn'll come 
 afore long," Joe philosophically observed, evidently 
 thinking it desirable to maintain an equilibrium of tem- 
 pers. 
 
 "Daylight is jest achin' to get into some of their hides. 
 But that don't happen to be part of this 'ere game, as I 
 understand it," said Dave, more calmly.
 
 ORDERS 211 
 
 "Not as I know of. This 'ere is a gentleman's game, 
 and we ain't supposed to do any mixin'. We're jest per- 
 litely asked to do the heavy lookin' on, and I reckon 
 we'd better try our level best to do it, even if it does go 
 agin the grain," said Joe. 
 
 "Reckon we had. I 'low Mister Bill has trouble 
 enough without loadin' him up with any of our makin'," 
 Dave agreed. 
 
 "Better tell him his invite is taken up, and we'll take 
 the trail soon as we can round up our traps. He's done 
 the handsome askin' a couple of rough old chaps like us 
 to go back there like enough we'll put the kerbosh on 
 him to the limit," Joe seriously opined. 
 
 "Some liberties were taken with Dave's dictation, but 
 as given to the stenographer, it would have read about 
 as follows: 
 
 "Old Consolidated is limpin' along on half time 'cord- 
 in' to orders. It's took like the itch no discountin' that. 
 There's plenty to say I told you so they're allus on 
 hand. Some are afeared maybe you've been caught in 
 a trap. Kinder looks that way to a chap up a tree, so 
 you can't blame 'em so much. They sort of agree that 
 we're broke plumb worked out and we ain't sayin' no 
 different. Folks are beginning to wonder what has be- 
 come of you, and there's some the same as say you were 
 feared to stay and face the music, and lit out but they 
 ain't sayin' it very hard. The chap as started that yarn 
 must have took to the woods, leastwise he ain't takin' no 
 trouble to make himself known." 
 
 "Joe and me don't so much like the idee of diggin' out 
 jest this time, as it kinder looks like we might be run- 
 nin' away from somethin' we're afeared of, but we're
 
 212 MISTER BILL 
 
 obeyin' orders, and ain't askin' no questions. We'll break 
 camp to-morrow night, and you can figger out about 
 the time we're likely to strike old New York. Maybe 
 you'd best be on the watch for us seein' as how we'll be 
 the worst kind of tenderfeet. So long." 
 
 "I ain't sayin' so much as I might, but that's enough 
 .to give him an idee what's goin' on," Dave explained, 
 when he had finished his dictation. 
 
 "More'n likely he knows it now all he cares to know. 
 Them cusses have been usin' the wires afore now,, and 
 tellin' the crowd back there what's goin' on. Mister 
 Bill is watchin' 'em sharp enough to know whether 
 they've bit or not he ain't waitin' for Uncle Sam to tell 
 him about that," said Joe. 
 
 "I reckon. Don't make much difference what we do 
 so long as we keep our mouths shut, and our fingers out 
 of the dough." 
 
 About this time another letter relative to the same 
 general subject was speeding on its way to the same 
 destination. 
 "Dear Mister Bill: 
 
 "Your letter was so entirely like a man. Why do 
 men who are really deserving of serious consideration 
 persist in living so entirely within themselves? They 
 make a grave mistake. No human being is or can be, 
 so entirely self-sufficient that he can afford to exclude 
 from his life those who are honestly interested in him 
 and his work he is simply defying a law that is greater 
 than himself. On the particular subject which interests 
 me the most, you hardly say a word. I don't think it 
 quite fair. However, I refuse to consider myself per- 
 sonally affronted, and for the present shall attribute your
 
 ORDERS 213 
 
 apparent lack of confidence in me to the misfortune 
 from a man's standpoint of my birth. Yet this is not 
 altogether a satisfactory explanation, as I had some- 
 time since conceded myself the right of being judged by 
 my own individual worthiness, rather than by the stand- 
 ard of sex. But, alas ! Do as she may, a woman never 
 seems able to disassociate herself from the incontro- 
 vertible fact that she is a woman, and must suffer the 
 eternal consequences. 
 
 "Very well, sir, as you refuse to meet me half way, 
 I shall take the middle ground, and regale you with a 
 brief mention of some of the more conspicuous features 
 of the situation as they appear to a disinterested ob- 
 server. First and foremost, matters seem to be rapidly 
 approaching a climax dark forebodings are in the air. 
 Something is about to transpire; what, when, where or 
 how, I haven't the remotest idea, except that it is to be 
 the final act of a drama in which youth and innocence 
 are to go down in defeat unless, perchance, the hero 
 turns the tables on his persecutors at the last moment. 
 Will he? 
 
 "Your opponents maintain an air of mystery equal to 
 your own neither of you intend to be betrayed by a 
 woman. They have become positively hilarious ag- 
 gressively so. Even dad seems to have become infected 
 with the prevailing sentiment. I am becoming quite 
 concerned about him. I could almost think that he had 
 gone over to the enemy I am seriously contemplating 
 such a move myself. 
 
 "I fear I am not very encouraging I am in rather 
 bad form to-day, I must admit. But what can be ex- 
 pected of a girl who has been calmly set aside and given
 
 214 MISTER BILL 
 
 to understand that there is serious business afoot or 
 in hand much too serious to be entrusted to her. I 
 have fallen considerably below par in my own estima- 
 tion, and well, you may as well know I am angry. 
 Oh, yes! I can see you smile a woman's anger is such 
 a trifling thing. 
 
 "And now that I have said what I really intended 
 to say, I shall leave you to reflect upon your conduct. 
 I need not say that I wish you success most heartily, 
 even if I do find it somewhat difficult to sign myself, 
 
 Your sincere friend, 
 
 EVIS GODDARD." 
 
 "P. S. I am not real angry, but I should like to know 
 what is going on, and I don't like my information second 
 hand from the very people I do so dislike."
 
 CHAPTER XXIV 
 A "REAL AND TRULY" STORY 
 
 DAVE and Joe arrived from the West on 
 schedule time, and immediately set about mak- 
 ing the acquaintance of the great city, and 
 gratifying curiosities and desires of long stand- 
 ing. For the most part they maintained a mien of quiet 
 imperturbability, their rough bronzed countenances giv- 
 ing little indication of what was transpiring in their 
 minds. Their visit to the Stock Exchange, one of the 
 first places to which their curiosity led them, was 
 productive of a fairly free expression of their impres- 
 sions of that particular institution. They had heard 
 many strange and wonderful tales of this great money 
 mart where the finances of the nation were turned topsy- 
 turvy, and where men jumped from poverty and ob- 
 scurity to wealth and renown in an incredibly short space 
 of time. Besides, they felt something of a personal in- 
 terest in the place which they understood would sooner 
 or later be the scene of a "round up," in which they 
 would be vitally interested. By special request, there- 
 fore, Waldron took them up into the visitors' gallery 
 from where they surveyed the throng of clamorous men 
 and scurrying messenger boys for a full quarter of an 
 hour without uttering a syllable. 
 
 "Our scrap goin' to be pulled off down there?" Joe 
 
 215
 
 216 MISTER BILL 
 
 was finally moved to inquire, and receiving a nod in 
 the affirmative, again turned his attention below. 
 
 "I've seen packs of gray-backs snappin' and snarlin' 
 and yawlin' over a carcass afore now, but I never 'lowed 
 to see human folks them as is eddicated up to the top 
 notch goin' through the same maneuvers," Dave sol- 
 emnly affirmed, as he gazed upon the strange scene. "I 
 reckon there's a strain of the same blood that one or 
 the other of us ain't outgrown don't seem to be runnin' 
 out much neither far as I can see." 
 
 "I 'low I'm kinder disappointed," Joe reluctantly ad- 
 mitted. "It ain't jest what I expected to see considerin' 
 all the fuss made about it. If Tenderfoot or some no 
 account chap like him was down there to start 'em all 
 to goin' disagreeable like, might be some sense in it." 
 
 "If I was mad as some of them chaps 'pear to be I 
 reckon there'd be somethin' doin' besides hollerin' the 
 top of my head off about it," said Dave, with ill con- 
 cealed disgust. "Let's mosey," he suggested, a few min- 
 utes later, his curiosity apparently satisfied. "No use 
 gettin' riled up over any argyment we can't take a hand 
 in. This 'ere's a gentleman's game, and that lets us out 
 an' I 'low my feelin's ain't much hurt," he added, as he 
 shot a parting glance below. 
 
 "Guess they don't need our help nohow nobody 
 'pears to be gettin' hurt. Looks like they're all tryin' to 
 frighten each other to death them as ain't settin' around 
 tuckered out like," was Joe's final observation, as he 
 turned away. 
 
 Miss Edith Winston had promptly expressed an en- 
 thusiastic desire to meet these men of the West, when 
 she had learned of their proposed visit. Her desire, so
 
 A "REAL AND TRULY" STORY 217 
 
 long possessed, to behold a real and truly Westerner, 
 had not as yet been gratified. Mr. Waldron had utterly 
 failed to satisfy the fastidious ideas of the young miss. 
 She liked Mr. Waldron very much indeed ; but she was 
 speaking of something quite different. Mr. Waldron 
 might be a New Yorker, for all one could say to the 
 contrary, and surely a real and truly Westerner must 
 be a creature of entirely different parts. She wanted 
 to see the sort of men she had read about great big 
 strapping men who carried those terrifying and death- 
 dealing guns. Men who rode for days and weeks on 
 lonely trails and discovered rich mines. Men who fought 
 Indians and highwaymen in short, the typical men of 
 the plains and mountains. 
 
 Mr. Waldron seemed ever willing to gratify the 
 slightest wish of this little maid, and she was one day in- 
 formed that her oft-repeated desire to behold a wild and 
 woolly Westerner should be appeased. Cathalee had also 
 expressed a similar desire, all seemingly interested in 
 these rough strangers, friends of their friend. 
 
 David Bishop and Joseph Sutter were truly typical 
 Westerners ; not, however, of the type commonly con- 
 ceded to drink distilled lightning, shoot at sight, ride 
 their horses into saloons, and clean out whole towns. 
 They were men born and bred in the West who early 
 in life had discovered the necessity for a law-abiding ele- 
 ment even in that wild country, and ranging themselves 
 on the side of law and order, had steadfastly maintained 
 their ground, and fought for it when circumstances de- 
 manded, which not infrequently happened. They were 
 reckoned as sharp and shrewd mining men. They had 
 made and lost fortunes, which was no reflection on their
 
 2i8 MISTER BILL 
 
 abilities, as such happenings were of every day occur- 
 ence, and fell to the lot of the wisest and shrewdest. 
 They had invariably landed on their feet, which was 
 the real test, and were never long the victims of cir- 
 cumstance. 
 
 Joe Sutter knew little of the sex feminine, and was 
 inclined to be rather ill at ease in the company of "high 
 class gals," so Waldron and Jack very considerately 
 came to his rescue, and took him for a tramp along the 
 shore, which was more in his line, and vastly more to 
 his liking. 
 
 David Bishop, on the contrary, took to woman's so- 
 ciety like a courtier, much to the wonderment of his 
 friend Joe, who " 'lowed Dave allus was a shifty crit- 
 ter." As for the young miss, her wish was gratified 
 at last. These men would do very well. They were 
 quite all her fancy had pictured they were the genuine 
 article so far as her limited knowledge availed. Their 
 forms of speech were certainly characteristic of the West- 
 ern country, and conformed to her preconceived ideas 
 as well as could be expected. To be sure, some very 
 strange expressions worked their way into the conversa- 
 tion now and again, but they caused no embarrassment 
 whatever; a halt was immediately called and the com- 
 plexity removed to the satisfaction of the little miss be- 
 fore the conversation was suffered to go on, affording 1 
 no little amusement for the rough fellows, and tending 
 to make them feel more at ease than the more formal, 
 but no less well intended efforts of the elders. Their 
 exteriors were rough, but they were warm hearted and 
 good natured, she was sure, and well, they were friends
 
 A "REAL AND TRULY" STORY 219 
 
 of Mr. Waldron, which was sufficient to ensure them a 
 warm welcome. 
 
 A mutual interest seemed to spring up almost im- 
 mediately between Dave Bishop and the little miss. 
 "Never shied kept me busy from start to finish. As 
 purty a little filly as I ever cast an eye over," he after- 
 wards declared to Waldron. Mrs. Winston, Cathalee, 
 Maude and Edith had him in charge for the time, or 
 more properly, as he himself declared, Edith monopolized 
 his attention, while the others, close at hand, were very 
 interested and attentive listeners. 
 
 "I wanted to meet you and Mr. Sutter and so did we 
 all for several reasons," she explained, in a burst of 
 confidence. "You see, we all like Mr. Waldron so very 
 much, we wanted to know you, because you are his 
 friends. And then I thought if you were real good- 
 natured and I know now you are you would tell me 
 some real and truly stories about the things you have 
 done. It will be so much nicer than reading about them 
 because I shall know they are quite true. 
 
 "Well, well, Missy!" laughed Dave, much amused at 
 the enthusiasm of his little inquisitor, "and so you've been 
 waitin' for Joe and Dave to tell you about things Mister 
 Bill can tell you a heap sight better than us?" 
 
 "Whom do you mean by Mister Bill? Mister Wal- 
 dron?" 
 
 "Sartin, sure! Who else could I mean, little one? 
 'Pears to me you ain't over well acquainted with Mister 
 Bill after all," said Dave, laughing heartily at the pert 
 inquiry of the little miss. 
 
 "How odd! And why do you call him Mister Bill 
 instead of Mister Waldron? Or, if you prefer Bill,
 
 220 MISTER BILL 
 
 why not call him well, just plain Bill ?" she was curious 
 to know, much to his increased amusement. 
 
 "Well, little one, I'll tell you, seein' as how Mister 
 Bill ain't done it himself. No harm for you to know, and 
 maybe you'll thank me for tellin' you all the more, per- 
 haps, as you'd never be likely to know it any other 
 way. It ain't no great secret nohow, and no ways a 
 long story. You see when Mister Bill first showed up 
 out there in our country, he was a tenderfoot. But he 
 had plenty of sand and all 'round good sense, and he 
 took to our rough ways like a bird to the wing, and 
 'twan't long afore he could ride a horse, shoot, trail, 
 trap, rope a steer, and anythin' else a chap need to do, 
 jest about as well as any of us, and a tarnal sight better'n 
 most. Then he up and went us some better, and done 
 things we couldn't do nohow, 'cause we didn't know 
 enough. We don't all start from the same mark, little 
 one, and some of us ain't so much to blame for things we 
 don't know, but I ain't never discovered that eddication 
 makes a man anyhow, it ain't sure bettin'. But it's a 
 purty handy thing to have, and many a chap puts up a 
 mighty big bluff on the strength of it. You see, he was 
 one of us, but he was different. We could see it plain 
 enough, and thought a heap sight more of him for not 
 lettin' on as how he could see it. He could turn his 
 hand to most anythin'. If a chap broke his leg or any- 
 thin' short of his head, Mister Bill could fix him up. 
 Anybody sick, Mister Bill was the doctor. Any docky- 
 ments to be made out, Mister Bill was the lawyer. Argy- 
 ments and disputes were turned over to Mister Bill to 
 settle he was on the level, and we knew it dead sartin. 
 You see, Missy, he never loses his head ; screwed un-
 
 A "REAL AND TRULY" STORY 221 
 
 commonly tight on them wide shoulders of his, and I ain't 
 never seen the man nor woman, far as that goes as 
 could turn it. He ain't never abused himself with licker 
 and terbacker, and he's made a good many of the boys 
 quit makin' fools of theirselves not preachin' Mister 
 Bill ain't no preacher except he took the notion, then I 
 'low he could preach as well as the next chap but they 
 jest naterally shamed theirselves when he showed 'em 
 as how a feller could be a man without makin' a fool 
 of himself. But bless you, little one, everybody knows 
 Mister Bill, and them as don't is misfortunate. There's 
 mighty few nights go by there ain't prayers said for 
 that boy, and he deserves 'em all. More than one poor 
 devil, and woman and child, owes him their lives, and he 
 carries marks he didn't bring into the world with him 
 to show for it. So you see, Miss, it comes mighty easy 
 for them as knows him to call him Mister Bill easier 
 than anythin' else. It's about the only way they have of 
 lettin' him know as how they respect him different from 
 any other Bill, or Joe or Dave. It's no slouch to have 
 'em call you Mister out in that country they're great 
 sticklers for short handles. And that, little Miss, is why 
 we call him Mister Bill." 
 
 "Oh, isn't that perfectly lovely !" impulsively cried the 
 little miss, with difficulty restraining the tears that per- 
 sisted in welling into her bright eyes. "And was he ever 
 was he really and truly hit shot, I mean? And are 
 those the marks you mean, Mr. Bishop?" queried the 
 little mite of curious femininity, with fearsome concern. 
 
 "Well, now, little one," laughed Dave, patting her re- 
 assuringly on the shoulder, "don't you go to worryin' 
 about Mister Bill. He can take care of himself, and no
 
 222 MISTER BILL 
 
 trouble howsomever. He's never been put on his back 
 yet as I knows of, and the man may live as can do it I 
 ain't sayin' he don't but he ain't never showed up. Jest 
 let that boy think he's right, and bless you, Miss, you 
 can't stop him nohow. He's a fighter that don't know 
 how to quit 'till he gets that he's fightin' for." 
 
 "Oh, isn't that grand! And just to think, Cathy and 
 Maude, we have known him all this time, and never 
 knew how very brave and good he is. You see, Mr. 
 Bishop, he has never told us very much about himself. 
 We thought we knew him, but we didn't. When I ask 
 him to tell me about himself and the things he has 
 done, he tells me something funny. He seems to think 
 I am only a little girl or a joke and he is never quite 
 serious when he talks with me. He told me about an 
 unruly horse throwing him into a creek when he was 
 a tenderfoot, and how a very bad man was going to 
 make him dance the way those horrid men do by shoot- 
 ing at his feet." 
 
 "Did he say what happened to the bad man, little one ?" 
 "He said they they compromised, I think." 
 "Well, well, that's purty good!" chuckled Dave. "If 
 it was a compromise I guess as how the bad man was 
 mighty glad it wan't no fight. But that's about as much 
 satisfaction as you're liable to get to let Mister Bill 
 spin the yarn." 
 
 "Please tell me something that Mister Bill has done 
 really and truly. I think I rather like that funny name 
 after all don't you, girls?" 
 
 "Indeed, I do I think it just splendid!" declared 
 Maude, enthusiastically. "Somehow I am not the least 
 bit surprised ; it seems as if I had known it all the while."
 
 A "REAL AND TRULY" STORY 223 
 
 Cathalee, however, ventured no comment, nor raised 
 her eyes from her work. 
 
 "Do you think, Mr. Bishop, that he would mind if I 
 called him Mister Bill?" inquired Edith, very seriously. 
 
 "Well, little one, that's purty hard to say," replied 
 Dave, equally serious, "but I have an idee that your little 
 heart wouldn't ache long for anythin' you could ask of 
 Mister Bill, and I guess you're safe in callin' him jest 
 about anythin' you take a notion. Leastwise, if you have 
 any doubts, jest try it on, and if he kicks up disagreeable 
 like, tell him that old Dave Bishop egged you on, and 
 between us both I guess we can bring him 'round all 
 right," which suggestion seemed to amuse the speaker no 
 less than his listeners. 
 
 "I protest that I am an unwilling accomplice to a base 
 conspiracy I feel guilty already," laughed Maude. 
 
 "It will be jolly to surprise him by calling him Mister 
 Bill, won't it, girls ? But then, of course, he will be sure 
 to know who told us, won't he, Mr. Bishop?" 
 
 "Mighty likely to guess first time, I should say, little 
 one. A real and truly story? Well, Miss, I couldn't 
 tell you no other. I've never read books no account, and 
 the only kind I know is what you call real and truly and 
 them in plenty. The story I'm goin' to yarn ain't very 
 long, and wouldn't amount to much writ out in a book, 
 like enough, but it may mean more to you same as it 
 does to me than all the stories in them fine books up 
 there good and all right enough, no sort of doubt. 
 A chap can say a heap of things that wouldn't amount to 
 much if some feller didn't prove that jest as smart and 
 jest as brave men live and breathe as is writ about.
 
 224 MISTER BILL 
 
 There's a sight of difference between a bird shut up in 
 a cage, and the same bird flyin' around nateral like. 
 
 "One winter, about five year ago," he began, with great 
 deliberation, "a poor devil, lookin' as how he was purty 
 nigh done for, dragged what was left of his miserable old 
 body into a minin' camp out in the Colorader mountins. 
 The boys hauled him into one of the shanties and poured 
 enough licker down his throat to most put out the mighty 
 small spark of life left in him. He'd been staggerin' 
 along through the snow draggin' one foot after the other 
 without knowin' it, jest 'cause he'd set his mind on 
 keepin' goin' so long as he could stand up. He didn't 
 seem to know he'd reached camp and kept on fightin' 
 the trail he was plumb loco. The boys worked over 
 him for a spell, and finally managed to bring his senses 
 back, but he was purty well used up, and mighty small 
 stakes for a man. He told the boys as how his pard 
 had took sick up in their camp, and they had run out of 
 grub, and with starvation starin' 'em both in the face, 
 he had started out to make the big camp, kind of hopin' 
 agin hope that he might hold on long enough to reach 
 it, but mighty unsartin. Said his pardner would sure 
 die if he didn't get grub and medicine mighty soon; as 
 how he would start back himself if he could stand on 
 his old frozen feet his will was all right, but his old 
 body was way shy of the mark. Snowed off and on for 
 a week, and no sign of lettin' up one of them black 
 snorters you never seed the like of, little one. The trail 
 was all gone and snow six or seven feet on the level, 
 and no tellin' how deep up in the mountins and in the 
 gulches, and maybe the whole mountain side might take 
 to slidin' and cover a man up in a jiffy. Not a minute
 
 A "REAL AND TRULY" STORY 225 
 
 but somethin' or other was liable to knock him over, 
 even if he didn't lose his bearin's, no ways unlikely, and 
 besides, 'twas crazy cold and that means purty cold. 
 The poor devil was sure in hard luck. His pardner 
 starvin' up there in the mountins for a few bites of grub, 
 and him havin' to ask a man jest about the same as go out 
 and jump in the river which ain't no easy thing to do. 
 You see, Missy, he knew there was jest about one chance 
 in a hundred that a man could pull through. 
 
 "Mister Bill was on hand, and thawed out the frost bites 
 of the used up counterfeit, fixed him up some porridge 
 and fed it to him fast as he could stow it away, and jest 
 naterally nursed him back to life. He asked the poor 
 chap all about his pardner and the whereabouts of their 
 camp, talkin' to him jest conversational like, and made 
 him forget how no account he was. When he was feelin' 
 sort of comfortable, Mister Bill straightened up I tell 
 you, little one, he looked mighty big and strong and 
 said good natered and careless like jest like he allus 
 talks, 'All right, old man, don't worry. We'll open up 
 communication with your pard not exactly telegraphic, 
 but more satisfactory to a hungry man,' and down he 
 goes to his cabin, and was back agin in a few minutes 
 ready for a trip that meant about ninety-nine chances agin 
 him to one not exactly in his favor. The boys tried 
 mighty hard to keep him from goin'. All hands agreed 
 'twas next to sure death. Some said the chap might 
 be dead, and no use makin' a bad matter worse. Some 
 more thought maybe it might clear up to-morrer, and 
 he'd better hold on a while longer. They purty much 
 all had somethin' to say, but Mister Bill only laughed, 
 and said as how they were all mad 'cause he had got
 
 226 MISTER BILL 
 
 the first start that any of 'em would go in a minute if 
 he didn't. Besides, he knew the trail or where it ought 
 to be better than them, and maybe a man's stomach 
 wouldn't wait for the weather to shift, and a few crumbs 
 might encourage it to hang on a leetle longer, and off he 
 went. 
 
 "The poor cuss left behind wished he was twins, so as 
 he could go himself. He seemed to think it was a heap 
 sight easier to die twice himself, than to send another 
 feller to die for him. He was purty nigh crazy he 
 was so helpless. You see, Missy, if he kept Mister Bill 
 from goin' which he could no ways do his pardner 
 would sure die, and he might die anyway, and Mister 
 Bill besides. And little one," gently patting the sunny 
 little head, tears welling into his honest eyes, and his 
 voice trembling with emotion, "Dave Bishop hopes he'll 
 never have another such load on his miserable old con- 
 science in all his born days, for it was me, little girl, 
 stretched out in that shanty, and old Joe Sutter up there in 
 the mountins, and me sendin' Mister Bill off to almost 
 sartin death, and not able to raise my hand to stop him. 
 There's some things, little one, we don't like to be re- 
 sponsible for, and it's mighty lucky they're taken out of 
 our hands when they get too heavy for us to handle. 
 
 "Mister Bill never had much to say about that trip. It 
 was no ways a pleasure jaunt, but he made the cabin 
 somehow with the medicine and rations that saved old 
 Joe's life. Joe says Mister Bill jest fell into the cabin 
 all in a heap, he was that far gone. And old Dave Bishop 
 thanks God for givin' the boy strength to get up to that 
 cabin that same Dave Bishop would no ways care about 
 livin' if Mister Bill had never come back from that trip.
 
 A "REAL AND TRULY" STORY 227 
 
 I don't know nothin' about how a father holds his boy, 
 but I nary believe a dad ever thought more of his own 
 flesh and blood than Joe and me thinks of Mister Bill. 
 And that's one reason, little Miss, why two rough old 
 duffers love Mister Bill, and ain't ashamed to say so." 
 
 Womanly hearts were too little proof against the 
 homely pathos of the simple tale, and heads bowed lower 
 and lower over the work in hand, while bright eyes filled 
 with tears, and one of the little circle Cathalee, by 
 name took abrupt leave and hurried away upstairs. 
 
 "You see, Miss, it ain't so much of a story. No high 
 soundin' words like you read maybe every day, but jest 
 a little pictur of our rough life out there among the 
 mountins, but its real and truly that's what you wanted. 
 And if you think a rough old fellow's advice is worth 
 rememberin', little woman, jest rest easy with the real 
 and truly, and you'll never be bothered by the things 
 as ain't, and there's a mighty sight of 'em in this world."
 
 CHAPTER XXV 
 THE HOLD-UP PARTY 
 
 THE Davidge mansion was a scene of light, music, 
 and mirth this night. The annual charity affair 
 was in full swing. "The name, indeed! I was 
 not even permitted the privilege of naming my 
 own party," Cathalee declared. "By a unanimity simply 
 marvelous my friends persisted in presiding at the chris- 
 tening, and carried the day by sheer force of numbers. 
 It is none other than 'The Hold-Up Party.' Such a ter- 
 rible name! Yet it commends itself to the extent of 
 calling a spade a spade, and on the whole relieves me of 
 a certain responsibility," she explained, with amiable res- 
 ignation. 
 
 In a corner of one of the spacious parlors' was a small 
 stage from which certain features of entertainment were 
 dispensed. The efforts of the performers were admirable 
 exhibitions of nerve and physical force, and occasionally 
 succeeded in rising above the reigning confusion to the 
 extent of making it apparent that something or other was 
 transpiring in the direction of the stage. The stage en- 
 tertainment so called by courtesy and the dancing 
 were the only untaxable features of entertainment. Trib- 
 ute was levied upon the just and the unjust alike, and 
 the unfortunate who labored under the delusion that 
 trade formalities were recognized was destined to suffer 
 an early and a rude awakening. 
 
 228
 
 THE HOLD-UP PARTY 229 
 
 Maude and Edith had come to town for the affair. 
 The former was one of Cathalee's prime assistants, while 
 Edith was in charge of Mrs. Worthington, very little 
 in evidence, and altogether considerably subdued by the 
 very austere mien of her chaperone, and the general 
 worldly aspect of the gathering. 
 
 Jack was an early arrival according to instructions, 
 and meeting Maude and Edith in the hall greeted his 
 sister with true brotherly affection, and seemed not in- 
 clined to overlook the prerogatives of a sweetheart, but 
 Maude was a charity girl this night. "Free-list entirely 
 suspended, sir! Kisses don't buy shoes for barefoot 
 orphans," Maude coldly declared, proceeding to attach a 
 boutonniere to his coat. "Mrs. Davidge says that I am 
 to have nothing whatever to do with sentiment this even- 
 ing, but must attend strictly to business one dollar, 
 please." 
 
 "Even my own family has turned against me," he 
 sighed. "What is your specialty, Sis?" he demanded, 
 regarding with some suspicion the demure young miss 
 intently watching this questionable proceeding. "Thank 
 you, my dear," he said, with unmistakable cynicism, hand- 
 ing Maude a two dollar bill, which she dropped carelessly 
 into her basket, with a matter of fact, "Don't mention it, 
 my dear." 
 
 "Don't I get a dollar back?" meekly inquired the vic- 
 tim of misplaced confidence. "My youth and inexperi- 
 ence are being imposed upon," he declared, upon being 
 informed that there was no precedent for such a pro- 
 ceeding. 
 
 "What is the matter, Jack?" inquired Cathalee, who 
 appeared at that moment. "Indeed, young man, you are
 
 230 MISTER BILL 
 
 in huge luck! Think had it been a tenner!" she told 
 him, consolingly, when he had explained the "hold-up," 
 as he termed his initiation. 
 
 "Then I'm eight dollars ahead. Much obliged, Cathy, 
 but I don't like your system the percentage is against 
 the outsider." 
 
 Jack's experience was but one of many continually 
 transpiring throughout the evening as new arrivals put 
 in an appearance, affording no little amusement for those 
 who had preceded and undergone a similar initiation. 
 Cathalee was everywhere present simply overflowing 
 with laughing good nature, keeping everybody keyed up 
 to the proper pitch, and the whole affair moving along 
 with the dash and spirit characteristic of herself, and 
 withal performing the duties of hostess and holder-up-in- 
 chief as well as the two could be expected to coalesce. 
 
 "Yes, I am quite beyond words !" she frankly admitted. 
 "I welcome my guests with one hand, and the other goes 
 immediately to their pockets. Why, yes, to be sure, I 
 am an expert! You, sir, would rather be waylaid by 
 me than to have wealth thrust upon you by another? 
 Very well, sir, your fine preference shall be duly re- 
 warded." And to an elderly admirer, who professed 
 profound pleasure at the purchase of a beautiful rose 
 from one of her fair assistants like from like as he 
 poetically delivered himself, "How beautiful!" she told 
 him, "Take two and be doubly pleased indeed, take 
 three and be thrice blessed," ever returning a laughing 
 reply or bright repartee to the badinage flung at her as 
 she wended her way among her guests. 
 
 "Oh, Major! you shall settle a vexed question I have 
 with Mr. Chadeller," she exclaimed, suddenly coming
 
 THE HOLD-UP PARTY 231 
 
 upon these two gentlemen. "Mr. Chadeller promised to 
 subscribe one hundred dollars to my fund under certain 
 conditions, and now he stands upon a mere technicality, 
 which I don't think is fair." 
 
 "Excuse me, my dear!" vigorously protested the old 
 fellow, "I'll have nothing to do with any dispute. Egad ! 
 before I know it you would have me in the same box. 
 Take my advice, Chadeller, if she has any claim on you, 
 pay up. Might as well settle first as last, and save your- 
 self trouble mark me!" 
 
 "Oh, indeed! you dare me, Mr. Chadeller! Will you 
 at least kindly bear witness, Major the gentleman dares 
 the lady. I warn you, sir, I am entirely unscrupulous 
 the end will justify the means, whatever they may be. 
 No, I promise not to sign your name to any checks. I 
 do respect my liberty if not my conscience. Very well, 
 sir, you leave me no alternative but to do my worst 
 you may have cause to regret your rashness." 
 
 "Bad business, Chadeller bad business!" declared the 
 Major, shaking his head disapprovingly. It's only 
 inviting trouble to dare a woman just encouraging the 
 natural instincts of the sex to get after us poor devils." 
 
 "Too serious a view, Major too serious by half," re- 
 plied Mr. Chadeller, with characteristic assurance. We 
 have to handicap ourselves a little now and then to make 
 it half way interesting a little extra weight for age and 
 worldly experience, you know, Major." 
 
 "Egad, Colonel! What do you think?" blustered the 
 Major to his old crony whom he chanced to run across 
 some time later. "A crowd of those young chaps have 
 just been telling me about a new drink they have trumped 
 up over at the club. New drink!" he indignantly ex-
 
 232 MISTER BILL 
 
 claimed, making a wry face. "Here I am, Colonel, sixty- 
 seven years old, and I'm free to say that I haven't even 
 discovered the possibilities of the old drinks let alone 
 exhausting them. And hang me, sir, what's more, I don't 
 expect to even if I live to be a hundred and have a re- 
 lapse. Colonel, some folks are never satisfied to let well 
 enough alone." 
 
 "There's where our reputations are torn into shreds 
 and scattered to the four winds over in that corner," 
 he declared, when he had recovered his equilibrium, sud- 
 denly catching sight of a certain select coterie of the 
 opposite sex engaged in very animated conversation. 
 "They draw and quarter a poor devil behind his back, 
 smirk and palaver to his face, break his bread and drink 
 his wine. Egad ! if they didn't have straight gullets they 
 would surely choke to death." 
 
 "That they would," gruffly replied the Colonel, "but 
 they're a sort of necessary evil, Major. We do a deal of 
 swearing, but finally swallow 'em like poor liquor that 
 we know won't lay well on our stomachs, and more than 
 likely to turn us over in the night. But we must have the 
 stimulant. Might as well try to run New York without a 
 tiger as society without its scandal-mongers. Such old" 
 chaps as you and I, Major, would have to take to the 
 woods, or go out and fight the niggers to find a little 
 excitement." 
 
 "He may be all that a man should be as men go 
 but there is something very mysterious about the whole 
 affair. Who is he does anybody know ?" demanded one 
 of this precious group, almost defiantly. 
 
 "I hope she knows more than she seems inclined to 
 tell. I always said that she would distinguish herself,
 
 THE HOLD-UP PARTY 233 
 
 and she seems in a fair way to do it," snapped another. 
 
 "Unless I am greatly mistaken the Major himself has 
 not unraveled the mystery. He was positively disagree- 
 able this evening when I mentioned the subject a sure 
 sign that he is in the dark, or does not approve," de- 
 clared another, with great gusto. 
 
 "It is time he was putting in an appearance. Of 
 course she will not miss such an opportunity of parading 
 him before us all," cynically observed another. 
 
 "Oh, to be sure ! She has already promised several of 
 her intimates that the mysterious gentleman shall be pre- 
 sented to them. For my part I have no desire to become 
 entangled with any mystery " 
 
 "I should positively refuse !" 
 
 "Pray, excuse me!" 
 
 "The idea!" 
 
 "Mercy!" 
 
 Exclaimed these very estimable ladies in chorus, with 
 much shrugging of shoulders and bosoms heaving with 
 virtuous indignation. Two or three of their number were 
 claimed by their partners in the dance, thus putting an 
 end to a very interesting discussion. 
 
 Miss Constance Hillman had been a very surprised 
 young woman when, a day or two after her departure 
 from the city, she had received a very curt note from her 
 father rather more peremptory than the circumstances 
 required, she could but feel informing her that there 
 was to be no further reference to the presence in the 
 city of a certain individual. Mr. Herringdon had also 
 received similar positive instructions when, with no little 
 importance, he had informed Mr. Hillman of the situa- 
 tion in detail. That young man was not a little sur-
 
 234 MISTER BILL 
 
 prised and considerably at a loss to account for this un- 
 ceremonious disposition of possibly interesting compli- 
 cations, and was finally compelled to attribute the strange 
 action to one of those unaccountable eccentricities for 
 which the great man was noted. Behind this particular 
 eccentricity, however, as well as many others, was a well 
 defined motive. Mr. Hillman had no intention of giving 
 any unnecessary publicity to the recent happenings in 
 the Western mining district. The whole affair had been 
 humiliating to him as a man, and would not tend to 
 enhance his reputation with his business associates or 
 with the public. Moreover, reluctant as he was to admit 
 it, even to himself, he had a wholesome respect for this 
 same man with whom he had no desire to again measure 
 strength until he was more sure of his ground. In the 
 meantime there was nothing to be gained by incurring 
 the displeasure of the other side. To this eccentricity, 
 therefore, may be attributed in no small degree the 
 mystery surrounding the stranger a mystery as desir- 
 able to one as the other, at least for the present. 
 
 "I tell you, Burrows, there's something wrong. There's 
 a nigger in the fence, or my name is not Morrison." 
 
 "My opinion, and has been for a week or more," de- 
 clared Mr. Lowe, another member of a group of men 
 engaged in earnest discussion. Mr. Lowe was a banker 
 and broker having Cathalee's financial affairs in charge. 
 Mr. Morrison was also a broker, and both men, as well 
 as others of the group, were closely allied with Mr. 
 Burrows in various large financial transactions. 
 
 "What do you say, Francis ?" sarcastically inquired Mr. 
 Burrows of another member of the group. "Do you 
 believe that we are about to be swallowed up by a nigger
 
 THE HOLD-UP PARTY 235 
 
 in the fence? Nonsense!" he growled, with infinite dis- 
 gust. "What can be wrong? The whole thing is in our 
 hands as it always has been, and as it will remain so 
 long as we have any use for it. But it's on its last legs 
 good for about one more squeeze. She's served us 
 pretty well, and we can't complain if she is finally milked 
 dry." 
 
 "May be all right, but looks very suspicious to me 
 just the same," Mr. Morrison insisted. "The stock has 
 been climbing slowly and steadily for several weeks past ; 
 in the last few days it seems to have taken a new lease of 
 life despite the fact that we have been selling pretty 
 freely. Somebody is picking it up as fast as we drop it. 
 May be the public taking a new interest, or may not 
 be. Whatever the cause, we must put a stop to it at once 
 it has gone far enough. We are not prepared for a 
 bull movement in the stock at this time." 
 
 "I don't feel just right about it myself," said Mr. 
 Lowe. "Acts very strangely to me. I have been watch- 
 ing it pretty closely of late as I have made Mrs. Davidge 
 interested, feeling assured that it was perfectly safe. I 
 have been holding this money of hers for some time 
 awaiting certain investments, and thought it might make 
 a turn for itself while lying idle. Besides, I am pretty 
 heavily interested myself, and I cannot afford to see the 
 thing go wrong at this particular time." 
 
 "Utter and complete rot!" declared Mr. Burrows, with 
 irritable impatience. "You are all frightened before you 
 are hurt. I tell you the thing is all right. To be sure 
 the stock has been going up all the better it will drop 
 all the harder. Some idiots have taken to buying simply 
 because it has shown a little life, and they imagine there
 
 236 MISTER BILL 
 
 is something behind it; but they'll run like a flock of 
 scared sheep when we get after them." 
 
 "Oh, I have no doubt whatever as to ultimate outcome 
 not the least in the world," Mr. Lowe hastened to as- 
 sure his leader. 
 
 "I am advised that the mills were shut down tight as a 
 drum today," continued Mr. Burrows. "So much for 
 the new board of directors. Fact is, they are landed high, 
 and dry worked out flat. I have been waiting for them 
 to get to the end of their rope. You see I am in pretty 
 close touch with them not a move can they make but is 
 immediately reported to me. Looks like a flourishing 
 condition at the mines very inviting indeed, for a bull 
 movement in the stock," he sarcastically observed. 
 
 "Now is the time to strike she'll simply fall of her 
 own weight," declared Mr. Morrison. 
 
 "We'll get after the whole crowd bright and early 
 tomorrow morning and break their backs before they 
 have a chance to unload. We'll drive them into the 
 woods so far they'll never get back. We'll secure pos- 
 session of the Properties practically on our own terms, 
 and then I'll show you a trick that has not yet been 
 turned." 
 
 "Gentlemen! Gentlemen! I protest!" exclaimed 
 Cathalee, sweeping into the room just in time to catch 
 these dire threats. "What a terribly cruel man you are, 
 to be sure, Mr. Burrows. And upon whom, pray, is such 
 punishment to be inflicted ?" 
 
 "Bulls !" laughed Mr. Morrison. "The bulls are to tie 
 summarily dealt with tomorrow. We must apologize, 
 Mrs. Davidge, for talking shop, but the fact is, we are 
 all interested in a certain important movement to be in-
 
 THE HOLD-UP PARTY 237 
 
 augurated tomorrow, in which, by the way, you are also 
 interested Consolidated Properties as perhaps you are 
 aware ?" 
 
 "I was not, but you are quite excusable. The whole 
 party seems to have gone stark mad over the general 
 subject. As it seems quite the proper thing, I suppose I 
 should be glad that I am what shall I say in on it? 
 Is that slang, or a technical expression? I said it, and 
 then wondered where I got it." 
 
 A general movement was being made towards the 
 parlors. A very mysterious and impromptu feature of 
 the entertainment had just been announced. Cathalee 
 ascended the little stage, and stood for a moment await- 
 ing quiet before speaking. "What piece of deviltry is 
 that girl up to now?" queried the Major of his friend 
 the Colonel. "Something is going to happen, I'd stake my 
 old head. I see it in her eyes she's just boiling over 
 with mischief." 
 
 "Friends," she said, pausing for a moment and glanc- 
 ing over her audience as if to sense its humor, "I am 
 about to announce a very unusual feature of entertain- 
 ment. It is not necessary that I should mention the very 
 worthy object for which you are all lending me your 
 hearty and generous and very substantial assistance this 
 evening, nor need I speak of the sacrifices more or less 
 exacting many of us are called upon to make in order to 
 successfully prosecute the work we have undertaken. Suf- 
 fice to say, we reckon not the mental or physical discom- 
 forts if our poor efforts but accomplish the desired pur- 
 pose. This, then, is the justification that I feel and offer 
 if, indeed, justification really be needed in behalf of so 
 worthy a cause. Frankly, ladies and gentlemen, I am
 
 238 MISTER BILL 
 
 about to offer to the highest bidder a kiss. The single 
 stipulation, that the fortunate gentleman pardon my pre- 
 sumption shall receive his purchase immediately, and 
 on this stage, unless he chooses to waive claim also for 
 the good of the cause which, however, is entirely op- 
 tional." 
 
 The speech was delivered in a manner entirely char- 
 acteristic of the speaker, and was received with vary- 
 ing expressions of approval and disapproval by her 
 guests. The gentlemen enthusiastically applauded ; a 
 portion of the feminine element was manifestly amused : 
 another was unmistakably shocked. Charity was no ex- 
 cuse ; there was a limit even in behalf of charity, and 
 this this exceeded the limit. Certain husbands and 
 sweethearts were promptly instructed to refrain from 
 taking any part in the questionable proceedings. Varied 
 thoughts and subdued expressions; outward smiles and 
 excited speculations. Mr. Lowe was requested to record 
 the bids in due form, and all was soon in readiness. 
 
 "I am sure, gentlemen," she said, "that you will ap- 
 preciate a certain embarrassment I am bound to feel, 
 and not compel me to repeat any portion of my previous 
 remarks. I shall simply ask how much am I offered?" 
 
 "Five dollars !" simultaneously declared an effeminate 
 voice, which was discovered to emanate from Bertie 
 Holly. 
 
 "Five dollars!" repeated the fair auctioneer, with in- 
 credulous emphasis, looking down upon the reckless 
 bidder. "I fear I have over-estimated the market value 
 of my wares." 
 
 "Ten dollars!" indignantly cried Jack Winston, gal- 
 lantly coming to the rescue.
 
 THE HOLD-UP PARTY 239 
 
 "Thank you, Jack, that is very much better!" she told 
 him, very gratefully. But that young man had evidently 
 gone abroad for trouble. 
 
 "See here, Jack Winston, there are others who can 
 furnish a very satisfactory article at cut rates, if you 
 please and don't you dare bid again!" were the very 
 positive instructions he received from a certain young 
 woman standing at his side. 
 
 "Oh, me! I'm suffering with pleasure," he sighed. 
 "When I don't want to buy, I'm held up. When I 
 want to give up, I'm held down. I don't like your party, 
 Cathy!" he told her, convulsing the auctioneer, as well 
 as those immediately in front, and temporarily interrupt- 
 ing proceedings. 
 
 Fifteen dollars was bid, Mr. Chadeller offered twenty, 
 and the movement was quickly established. Several of 
 the older men soon withdrew, leaving the contention to 
 the younger men, some of whom seemed not inclined 
 to stand calmly by and see a coveted boon carried off 
 without a struggle. "Eighty eighty-five ninety 
 ninety-five!" called the gay auctioneer, the bids follow- 1 
 ing one after the other in quick succession amid increas- 
 ing excitement. "One hundred!" she suddenly cried, 
 with exultant emphasis, and SOLD! to Mr. George F. 
 Chadeller one kiss one hundred dollars ! You have 
 it, Mr. Lowe very well." A tumult of good natured 
 protest followed this sudden termination of the bidding 
 which, however, quickly turned to laughter and applause, 
 and hearty congratulations for the fortunate purchaser. 
 
 The Major was in paroxysms of levity, and his round 
 red face gradually assumed a deeper hue until it became 
 positively purple. "She's fixed you, Chadeller she's
 
 240 MISTER BILL 
 
 fixed you after all!" he managed to vociferate, between 
 spasms. "I'd have sworn it I tell you, you can't beat 
 that girl." 
 
 "I'm perfectly satisfied with my bargain," replied that 
 gentleman, very complacently, which seemed a turn of 
 the affair on which the Major had not reckoned. 
 
 "May be may be ! But I wouldn't give you ten cents 
 for your bargain and take your chances and I'm not so 
 devilishly decrepit at that," he doggedly declared. 
 
 "Mr. Chadeller, do you insist upon the delivery of 
 your purchase according to stipulation, or will you waive 
 claim in the name of charity?" the auctioneer would 
 know, when quiet had been restored. 
 
 "Very well," she laughed, the gentleman seeming not 
 inclined to surrender any of his rights in the premises, 
 "the transaction is strictly on a cash basis. Kindly settle 
 with Mr. Lowe, and your purchase shall be duly de- 
 livered." 
 
 "Settled!" announced Mr. Lowe, with imperturbable 
 business formality. 
 
 Mr. Chadeller seemed not entirely at his ease as he 
 made his way to the stage, but having gone so far no 
 retreat seemed open to him, even if he had so desired, 
 which, in truth, was not apparent. The very atmosphere 
 seemed charged with feverish expectancy, and grew more 
 tense each instant. Strangely enough she whom it might 
 naturally be supposed would be the one most concerned 
 was to all appearances the calmest person in the room, 
 and awaited the coming of the gentleman with entire 
 composure. But who may be sure of the ways of a 
 woman when she has a will to accomplish her way? 
 Surely not Mr. Chadeller, or he might have been even
 
 THE HOLD-UP PARTY 241 
 
 more ill at ease, and a little less confident of the power 
 of his gold to win him that which he had failed to win 
 for himself. Even he would have done well to remember 
 that there's many a slip 'twixt the cup and the lip. 
 
 "I really think it very uncharitable of you, Mr. Chadel- 
 ler," she said, rather reproachfully, it seemed, as the 
 gentleman advanced to the center of the stage, "but if you 
 positively insist, I cannot, of course, interpose further 
 objections," and parting the heavy draperies which served 
 as the stage curtains, disclosed to the astonished gentle- 
 man the shining and expansive countenance of old Lindy, 
 who appeared to be in tolerable enjoyment of a situation 
 in which she was specially featured. 
 
 "You know the particular subject was not specified, 
 Mr. Chadeller," she told him, very ingenuously, but the 
 poor man had seen enough. His vanity had received a 
 rude shock, and he beat a hasty retreat to the uproarious 
 amusement of the company, while the Major suddenly dis- 
 covered that his hilarity was flourishing at the expense 
 of his breath, and if he would preserve the one, he must 
 modify the other to an appreciable degree.
 
 CHAPTER XXVI 
 WOMAN'S DIPLOMACY 
 
 SOME time later, Edith, peering about in search 
 of Cathalee, finally discovered the object of her 
 quest in earnest conversation with Mr. Chadeller. 
 That gentleman had promptly disengaged him- 
 self from the group of financiers with whom he was con- 
 versing rather disinterestedly as Cathalee was passing, 
 and expressed himself as very much aggrieved at the 
 "beastly joke" perpetrated at his expense. "But you 
 dared me, you know, Mr. Chadeller! It was all quite 
 fair, you must admit, even if a trifle embarrassing, and 
 expensive," she laughed, apparently not in the least 
 awed by the serious aspect of her offense in his estimation. 
 
 "Oh, Cathy !" exclaimed Edith, suddenly coming upon 
 them, "Mr. Waldron is here, and I have been looking all 
 over for you. I'll fetch him !" 
 
 "Waldron!" exclaimed Mr. Chadeller, incredulously. 
 "That man here here in your house?" 
 
 This was certainly Mr. Chadeller's unlucky evening, 
 yet he had only himself to blame for his earlier dis- 
 comfiture, and again was he tempting fate with his reck- 
 less tongue. His irate state of mind the most charitable 
 excuse to be offered in his behalf may have been in 
 some degree responsible for the liberty he had thus, per- 
 haps unconsciously, assumed. 
 
 242
 
 WOMAN'S DIPLOMACY 243 
 
 "Is it possible that you would ask that that hanger- 
 on into your house? He is nothing less he is simply 
 imposing upon your good nature " 
 
 "Are you aware, Mr. Chadeller, that you are speak- 
 ing of my guest?" Cathalee suddenly interposed, with 
 chilling and imperious dignity. 
 
 Slightly preceded by Edith, the guest had entered the 
 room apparently unconscious of the fact that he was the 
 subject of the ill-timed remarks, and advanced to meet 
 his hostess with entire composure, bestowing not even 
 a glance upon Mr. Chadeller, against whom he almost 
 brushed as that gentleman abruptly turned and quitted the 
 room. 
 
 The group of gentlemen standing close by were com- 
 pulsory observers of the incident, and after greeting her 
 guest, whether from embarrassment, or a momentary con- 
 fusion, or loyalty to her guest, she turned and introduced 
 him to Mr. Burrows, Mr. Morrison and Mr. Lowe, which 
 a second thought would have suggested was as unneces- 
 sary as undesirable, and more than likely to result in 
 further embarrassment. The introduction was acknowl- 
 edged by the merest nods, after which the gentlemen 
 wandered away as by common consent. 
 
 "I fear I am a disturbing element in your social 
 circle," the guest remarked, with much the same indif- 
 ference that he might have commented upon the weather. 
 
 "And I feel that I should apologize for my social 
 circle!" she indignantly replied. "I think it perfectly 
 shameful " 
 
 "No apology is necessary," he interposed. "You are 
 not responsible for the civility of your guests or the 
 lack of it. I think them rather amusing than otherwise.
 
 244 MISTER BILL 
 
 I could not possibly take them seriously, or at anything 
 like their own valuation," he told her, with characteristic 
 good nature, and the cool composure with which he had 
 regarded the lately departed individuals, seemed to leave 
 no doubt that his expressions were but the true index of 
 his feelings. 
 
 "As usual, you rise superior to your surroundings," 
 she laughed, not a little relieved that an embarrassing 
 situation had been so easily dispelled. "I believe I was 
 inclined to feel a certain sympathy for you the men 
 certainly behaved very shabbily; but on second thought 
 I am rather sorry for them." 
 
 "One is hardly deserving of sympathy when one ven- 
 tures into unwelcome circles," he replied, rather disin- 
 terestedly. 
 
 "Which does not in the least apply to you, sir!" she 
 loyally protested. "You came because I particularly re- 
 quested even insisted. You have come late, and will 
 remain but a few moments, simply because you could 
 not well do less. Ah, yes, I understand perfectly! And 
 to show you how much I appreciate your coming, I shall 
 leave my guests to care for themselves, and talk to you 
 until you give signs of being bored, when I shall intro- 
 duce you to some of my friends who are especially anx- 
 ious to make your acquaintance. Your eyes express 
 doubt, sir; but I know whereof I speak. The luncheon, 
 and our several appearances in the park have not been 
 permitted to pass unnoticed, and an exceedingly well de- 
 veloped curiosity exists concerning my unknown Ah, 
 yes, they say it ! my handsome stranger. There are no 
 two opinions on that point sir. But I am not going to 
 tell him all the very interesting things said of him, which
 
 WOMAN'S DIPLOMACY 245 
 
 I frankly admit please me very much because I quite 
 agree with them. Now am I not embarrassingly frank ?" 
 she paused to inquire, and to note the effect upon her 
 guest of these very interesting disclosures. 
 
 "Indeed, not anything of the kind!" she vigorously 
 protested. "I'll wager you ran a gauntlet of very pretty 
 and very curious eyes as you came through the rooms. 
 Do you fancy for one moment that I am the object of 
 interest to those couples promenading past at this par- 
 ticular moment? Do you imagine that the men do not 
 understand why they are being trotted back and forth? 
 Or why the vague and uncertain replies to their pretty 
 and gallant speeches? You, sir, are the cause of it all. 
 Aren't you ashamed of yourself? Oh, yes, you are! 
 And I am not quite sure that I approve of all this un- 
 solicited attention, and I think after all that I shall not 
 introduce you to any one, but shall send you straight 
 home when I have finished with you," and then she pro- 
 ceeded to do that which she had just disclaimed her in- 
 tention of doing. 
 
 The gentleman may or may not have been conscious 
 of the attention that he might in no small measure have 
 apportioned to himself, but he could hardly have failed 
 to note the decided change in the demeanor of his hostess 
 since first they met. The briskness, and even aggres- 
 siveness of speech formerly so characteristic, had given 
 way to softly modulated tones expressive of a certain 
 feminine sweetness entirely foreign to her demeanor to- 
 wards all others. Then, too, those dancing eyes seemed 
 possessed of a secret of their own, and where once they 
 darted sharp and saucily indifferent glances, they now
 
 246 MISTER BILL 
 
 bespoke a warmer interest, and dwelt with a certain lin- 
 gering tenderness 
 
 "All my people are talking shop this evening," she 
 told him, as they wended their way through the rooms. 
 "Aside from bridge and stocks there is little doing now- 
 adays, one worldly creature informed me. Unless one 
 takes up with one or the other, one is quite outside the 
 pale. I have refrained from indulging in either up to 
 the present time, but it seems that I have now elected to 
 identify myself with the stock movement." 
 
 "As the lesser of two evils ?" 
 
 "Not necessarily. I really was not aware of my in- 
 tention until a few moments ago, when I was informed 
 that I was already an extensive participant one of the 
 advantages of not being compelled to think for oneself. 
 Are you familiar with such things?" she suddenly in- 
 quired, regarding him attentively. 
 
 "Somewhat some things," he replied, rather vaguely. 
 
 "Because there is one in particular," she explained, 
 very confidentially," in which a lot of us are interested 
 something or other out West Consolidated Places, 
 or something of the sort whose backs are to be 
 broken." 
 
 "Indeed!" 
 
 "Oh, yes ! It is all quite arranged. The whole crowd 
 are to be driven into the woods to-morrow, and terrible 
 things generally are to happen, and when it is all over, 
 we have made a lot of money. At least Mr. Burrows 
 has pronounced the edict, and the others seem to think 
 the deed is as good as accomplished." 
 
 "And have you no sympathy for the unfortunates?" 
 
 "It is perfectly ridiculous for me to exhibit my dense
 
 WOMAN'S DIPLOMACY 247 
 
 ignorance for your amusement," she laughed, suddenly 
 conscious of an amused interest on the part of her guest. 
 "I am simply an animated phonograph. I catch little 
 squibs here and there as I go about, and then just say 
 them without any well-defined idea of where they begin 
 or end. I must stop it. One is simply flying in the 
 face of fate to just repeat things without any definite 
 idea of their meaning." 
 
 "True. People are very liable to make trouble for 
 themselves, and sometimes sometimes," he repeated; 
 glancing curiously at his companion, "they unconsciously 
 disclose very great secrets." 
 
 "Oh, I cannot possibly fancy myself doing anything 
 quite so utterly stupid as that," she protested. 
 
 "And yet fancy sometimes plays strange pranks." 
 
 "You are pleased to be sarcastic, sir. But I refuse 
 to be drawn into any argument. I am on safe ground 
 for the present, and there I intend to remain," she de- 
 clared, with great assurance. 
 
 "I was not conscious of preparing a pitfall for your 
 unwary feet." 
 
 "I am willing to concede that you were not. Never- 
 theless, I have become very suspicious of those appar- 
 ently harmless little remarks you deal out so quietly 
 they are sometimes double-edged, I have found to my 
 sorrow. Upon several occasions I have played the role 
 of the small boy who didn't know it was loaded. I am 
 now wiser even if a trifle disfigured," she laughingly 
 declared. 
 
 "But we have strayed from our subject," she sud- 
 denly recalled. "Do you know what I have been talking
 
 248 MISTER BILL 
 
 about? You are excusable if you do not, but I refer 
 particularly to all this talk in the air." 
 
 "Are you a bull or a bear, on these Consolidated 
 Places, I believe you called them?" he asked, quietly 
 amused at the particular turn the conversation had taken. 
 "Bull? Bear?" 
 
 "To be sure. Are you long or short?" 
 "Must one be something one or the other?" 
 "Yes. One should choose with fine discretion with 
 such terrible happenings in store for one or the other." 
 "Well, really, I don't know what I am, except that 
 I am a simpleton in matters of business," she frankly ad- 
 mitted, "but I hope I am not a bull; I should find it 
 particularly inconvenient to be driven into the woods 
 to-morrow. Mr. Lowe has all my business affairs in 
 charge, you 'know of course you don't know, but I 
 am going to tell you. Mr. Davidge had the utmost con- 
 fidence in Mr. Lowe, and none at all in me in matters 
 of business so I was very considerately relieved of all 
 responsibility, and Mr. Lowe was given sole charge of 
 my affairs of business. I am perfectly helpless in any- 
 thing and everything pertaining to finances. I know 
 perfectly well when I require money I am not at all 
 stupid in that respect and I have only to tell Mr. 
 Lowe what I require, and it is all perfectly simple and 
 lovely. Some day I intend to become more familiar 
 with my extensive affairs as I have great ideas I hope 
 to put into execution before I pass into the sere and 
 yellow state. But you have not told me whether you 
 think I should be a bull or a bear. I am sure you know 
 quite well, if you were sufficiently interested to tell 
 me," which flattering expression of confidence would in-
 
 WOMAN'S DIPLOMACY 249 
 
 dicate that milady was well versed in certain other things, 
 not the least of which was man. "I am going to ask 
 Mr. Lowe just what I am," she said, and another subject 
 quickly engaged her attention. 
 
 And so it happens that woman is not at all times 
 a skillful and consistent diplomat. How often does she 
 flatter this susceptible creature man as perhaps in the 
 present instance by asking his lordly opinion of mat- 
 ters and things she professes a wish to know. What 
 does he think what can he think when, if you please, 
 before he is given a chance to speak, the subject is ab- 
 ruptly changed? Does he think she really wished to 
 know that of which she asked? And if so, why, by the 
 great and abiding love in which he holds her, is he not 
 allowed to speak ? Or, if she really did not care to know, 
 why did she ask ? Why, indeed ?
 
 CHAPTER XXVII 
 "THE TONGUE IS BUT A FOOLISH JESTER" 
 
 THE guests had long since departed, and the 
 house was dark and still save one small room 
 where only the fire light broke the shadows, 
 and the stillness of the wee small hours was 
 disturbed only by the softly modulated voices of two 
 daintily robed creatures for whom rest and sleep pos- 
 sessed no allurements. Only less important than the 
 affair itself are these aftermaths pleasure or pain 
 all must be carefully gone over and weighed in the 
 balance before sleep can be wooed. 
 
 "And do you know, Cathy, whom I think was the 
 most interesting of the men?" asked one prettily robed 
 person of the other, at whose feet she was comfortably 
 nestled. 
 
 "Jack!" replied the other, diverting her gaze from 
 the flames, and smiling indulgently on the spaeker. "Who 
 else, to be sure?" 
 
 "Nonsense, Cathy! Jack is my Jack, of course; but 
 he is only a boy. Wasn't he superb in evening dress? 
 And how well he carried himself! And how big and 
 strong he looked beside the other men! And what a 
 really handsome man he is!" 
 
 "Who, dear?" 
 
 "Why, Mister Bill, to be sure ! He was far and away 
 
 250
 
 "A FOOLISH JESTER" 251 
 
 the most interesting of all the men. Now don't tell me 
 you don't think so, Cathy, because I shall be very, very, 
 angry indeed I shall," she declared, with pretty in- 
 sistence. "And how all the people noticed him as he 
 passed through the rooms with Edith indeed how could 
 they do otherwise, when such an interesting stranger 
 suddenly appeared in their midst," she prattled on, no 
 reply being offered. "Have you noticed how he shows 
 Edith the same attention, the same quiet deference that 
 he pays to an older person. The little minx enjoys it 
 hugely. Yet there is that about it, she says, which 
 makes her feel that he looks upon her as a very little 
 girl, which she does not entirely approve. And when 
 he talks to you, you just seem to have any number of 
 things to say, and before you are aware, you are simply 
 rushing along at a mad rate, and well, you are just 
 glad when he comes, and sorry when he goes don't you 
 feel that way, Cathy?" 
 
 "I don't know, dear, what I feel, except that I I feel 
 too much." 
 
 "Cathy!" impulsively cried the younger woman, start- 
 ing up and staring at her companion in mild amazement, 
 "Do you do you love Mister Bill?" 
 
 "Ah, yes, yes! Why deny it? Why deny that I am 
 simply helpless? Why deny that I have been fighting 
 against myself for days, and all the while knowing the 
 struggle was useless? I do not seem to possess any 
 strength, any will of my own, where that man is con- 
 cerned. I I who fancied myself so strong, am simply 
 carried along, even while I am struggling against it." 
 
 "And when did it all begin, Cathy? Please tell me " 
 
 "Ah, dear, don't ask me. I don't even know. I think
 
 252 MISTER BILL 
 
 he interested me before I knew him that terrible night 
 out in the mountains. He was so brave and good and 
 tender to those poor people. A woman's heart is not 
 proof against such strength and goodness, my dear. I 
 think he won my respect and admiration that night, and 
 my heart, and all else quickly followed when I came 
 to know him. As I look back I can see that I was going, 
 going, all the while, yet failed to realize that I had been 
 caught in a treacherous current." 
 
 "Oh, it is perfectly lovely, Cathy!" 
 
 "Don't say that, my dear, unless you wish me misery." 
 
 "Why, Cathy, what do you mean? You don't mean 
 you cannot mean that Mister Bill does not love you ?" 
 she cried, incredulously. 
 
 "Yes, dear, that is just what I mean. Is it so difficult 
 to believe does it really seem so strange?" she asked, 
 with sweet and loving gentleness, smiling into the up- 
 turned face of her serious little companion. 
 
 "Oh, Cathy, I cannot believe it! You are tired and 
 upset " 
 
 "Yes, dear, I am tired and unstrung, I fear I am 
 weak to-night. I shall be stronger and braver to-morrow, 
 and for all time. I must always be strong or I shall be 
 miserable." 
 
 "Oh, no, no, Cathy! It cannot be! Surely Mister 
 Bill must care for you in return for all the love you 
 have given him. It cannot be that of all the men who 
 would give everything they possess for your love it 
 simply cannot be that the only one you love has none 
 to give. No, no! I am sure it cannot it must not 
 be. You are mistaken, Cathy you don't understand " 
 
 "There, there, dear," she gently interposed, smiling
 
 "A FOOLISH JESTER" 253 
 
 indulgently at the earnestness of her loyal little com- 
 panion, "there are things you don't understand. It is 
 all quite hopeless. He does not think me such a bad 
 lot as a friend, perhaps but a deeper feeling has 
 never entered his breast. He is far more likely to be- 
 come interested in Edith, if he has not already. Her 
 sweet, innocent and fresh young life, would appeal to 
 a man of his character who is much too sensible to tol- 
 erate the forced and artificial life we lead. Her life is 
 just beginning, and may be moulded into a sweet and 
 lovely womanhood. The parts are all there for his build- 
 ing, and a man may make of her what he will a com- 
 panion of whom he may well be proud, and the joy and 
 comfort of his life, or like thousands of others. Besides, 
 I have much, and he has little as the world reckons 
 and he is far too proud to accept more than he has to 
 offer. But there, dear, all this is beside the question." 
 
 "And just to think, Cathy, it was only yesterday that 
 you said you were quite sure you never could care enough 
 for any man " 
 
 "Yes, dear, I know ! I have said many foolish things, 
 but I knew all the while that I was only deceiving my- 
 self or trying to. When a woman is compelled to 
 whistle to keep up her courage she is grasping at a 
 straw a poor acknowledgment of weakness and defeat, 
 did she but know." 
 
 "Oh, dear, Cathy! Girls are such terribly contradic- 
 tory creatures. We say such heaps of things, and make 
 no end of resolutions knowing all the while we don't even 
 intend to keep them." 
 
 "Ah, dear! the tongue is but a foolish jester, and 
 merely wags at will. But the heart Ah, the heart!
 
 254 MISTER BILL 
 
 is subject to a higher power beyond the will of man 
 much less a woman. We protest and rebel, but the fact 
 remains, we love without volition of our own, and even 
 against our better judgment. Weak ? Unwomanly ? In- 
 excusable? Who shall say? I have no excuse, nor do I 
 seek one." 
 
 "Ah, no, Cathy, of course you do not, nor do any of 
 us. We cannot regulate our hearts to the day, the hour, 
 the minute, they -shall do our bidding. Ah, our hearts! 
 How treacherous how loyal! How they let us sleep 
 and dream sweetly on unconscious and careless of all 
 save the intoxication of the moment. Oh, Cathy, I can- 
 not I will not believe " 
 
 "Ah, my dear, you are inexperienced in the ways 
 of the world, and may you ever be shielded from its 
 rough edges, and never know the sorrows and heart- 
 aches it holds for so many. Happiness is not for all. 
 Some must be content with lowly and lonely lives ; some 
 must be content to labor for others ; some must even 
 give their lives for others. But wherever her lot is 
 cast, the happiness of every woman lies in being true to 
 her womanhood, without which, no king, nor man, nor 
 station, can compensate her for the sacrifice. And in the 
 simple consciousness of her loyalty and obedience to 
 those innate guardians, whose promptings are her safe- 
 guard the only guide a good woman need ever know 
 will come the great fruition of happiness the highest 
 and best reward our sex is privileged to know." 
 
 "Oh, Cathy! how brave how good, you are!" im- 
 pulsively cried the younger woman. 
 
 "And now, dear, bright eyes should be closed in slum- 
 ber," sealing two protesting lips, which returned the
 
 "A FOOLISH JESTER" 255 
 
 mute token of endearment with another, and another, 
 and yet another, while bright eyes grew dim with tears 
 and a little head nestled closer against the form about 
 which encircling arms had found their way. Good-night 
 was said one last embrace. "Sweetest dreams, dearest, 
 and may your life be the one long sweet dream of hap- 
 piness you would make for others, could you but choose 
 the way." 
 
 And while the stillness of the night grows heavy, a 
 lonely figure sits before the grate thinking watching 
 yet seeing not the dying embers fade away flickering 
 falling clinging to the last lingering spark of life 
 fainter fainter one last spasmodic leap darkness 
 over all. Even as the flame of hope in the human breast 
 burns and wanes and flickers, finally dying out, leaving 
 a soul in darkness and despair.
 
 CHAPTER XXVIII 
 MEN OF IRON NERVE 
 
 THE next morning Jack, rushing breathlessly into 
 Waldron's office found Messrs. Bishop and Sut- 
 ter in comfortable possession, each man tilted 
 back in an easy chair against the wall on op- 
 posite sides of the room complacently pulling away at 
 cigars at once conspicuous for their size and color. 
 
 "Has Mister Bill been here this morning, or do you 
 expect him soon ?" he inquired, with difficulty suppressing 
 the excitement under which he was laboring. 
 
 "Mister Bill ain't showed up yet liable to roll in 
 any minute I reckon, young 'un," said Dave, with care- 
 less good nature, between pulls at his weed. "Anythin' 
 special?" he inquired, noting Jack's impatience. 
 
 "Very much, Mr. Bishop. I have it pretty straight 
 that they are going to hammer Consolidated Properties 
 this morning, and I came up to tell Mister Bill so that 
 he might not be taken unawares." 
 
 "Show! They be goin' to hammer old Consolidated 
 be they ? I 'lowed that when you driv up, young 'un," 
 said Dave, with the most refreshing indifference, scan- 
 ning the young man through the blue haze in which he 
 had enveloped himself. 
 
 "Yes, and it's nine-thirty now. I think he would surely 
 be here if he knew that they were going to make the 
 
 256
 
 MEN OF IRON NERVE 257 
 
 drive this morning. It would be very unfortunate if 
 he were not aware of their intentions. Guess I had bet- 
 ter look him up," he suggested. 
 
 The fleeting seconds while awaiting a reply to his 
 suggestion seemed to the excited youth like a waste of 
 precious time, and he could hardly control his impatience 
 while Dave Bishop with the most exasperating coolness 
 removed the cigar from his mouth, slowly and even more 
 deliberately delivered himself of a prodigious volume of 
 blue smoke, carefully blowing away the last vestige, be- 
 fore he was finally moved to speech. 
 
 "I reckon, young 'un, as how Joe Sutter over there, 
 and Dave Bishop right here, stand to lose as much as 
 the next man in this 'ere stampede, and we ain't wor- 
 ryin'. 'Cause why? 'Cause Mister Bill is pintin' the 
 gun, and when he gets ready to let go, we ain't no kind 
 of doubt but the game he's aimin' at is goin' to drop all 
 right enough." 
 
 "Yes yes!" said Jack, impatiently. 
 
 "We don't know nothin' about this 'ere round-up, and 
 what's more, we don't want to know nothin' about it 
 it ain't in our line. Joe and me are jest here on a 
 little pleasure trip and we ain't botherin' our heads about 
 no business. What's the use? We're tenderfeet and 
 we've sense enough to know it." 
 
 "I understand, Mr. Bishop. I will see if I can find 
 Mister Bill," said Jack, now thoroughly convinced that it 
 was high time for him to act. 
 
 "You see, young 'un," continued Dave, "the chaps that 
 stake the color (gold) and keep the works a-hummin' 
 ain't the ones that put the pictures on paper and raise 
 a great hullabaloo and get the crowd to fightin' and
 
 258 MISTER BILL 
 
 tumblin' over theirselves like a pack of varmits to get 
 hold of the pesky stuff. They 'tend to their works same 
 as we 'tend to ours, and keep 'em goin' their own way, 
 mostly, I 'low, by throwin' the pack somethin' to gnaw 
 on once in a while jest to keep their courage up to 
 stickin' pint, when they ain't stirrin' 'em up with a long 
 pole and makin' 'em jump sideways to get out of their 
 own way." 
 
 "Yes, yes!" cried Jack, in sheer desperation. "Some- 
 thing must surely be wrong " 
 
 "You see, young 'un," continued the imperturbable 
 Dave, "we use them and they use us even if one is bad 
 licker to t'other, and there's no more friction than is 
 nateral to a couple of man-eaters that's bound to bite 
 and scratch each other when t'other ain't lookin'. But 
 there's a sight of trouble soon as a chap takes the no- 
 tion he can run both claims, and gets the idee that he's 
 the lone pine all by himself. He may stand up 
 straight and stiff like for maybe some time, but he's 
 jest darin' the whole crowd to take a fall out of him. 
 Where there's only one likely piece of timber to whack, 
 there's a sight of axes jest itchin' to get at it, and first 
 one and then another gets in a lick and maybe some 
 feller two or three and purty soon old tree gets kind 
 of top heavy, and down he comes all in a heap. Then again 
 it's a mighty likely mark for chain lightnin', and when old 
 Jove lashes out a kick at the big butt no difference 
 how solid down comes Mister Tree. A man ain't no 
 harder to bring down, and a kick where it'll do the most 
 good ain't no bad way to do it neither. He has a long 
 ways the best of the tree at that, seein' as how he can 
 pick himself up and go about his business again. May
 
 MEN OF IRON NERVE 259 
 
 be sort of stiff and used up like, but he knows more, and 
 is a hanged sight more decent to live with. 
 
 "I don't know, young 'un, how this 'ere feller Mister 
 Bill is trailin' is goin' to be brung down axes or light- 
 nin' but I mistrust lightnin' will do the job. That's 
 more his way when he has a fight on hand, and kinder 
 looks like he had his coat off in this 'ere scrimmage. 
 You'll see the fur fly purty soon, I reckon. He sent word 
 as how he wanted to see us this mornin', and that's why 
 we're here. You're all right, young 'un. Don't worry 
 about Mister Bill. He'll he here in time no kind of 
 doubt, and if he ain't he'll be where he orter be." 
 
 The young man, however, was far from being reas- 
 sured by these unqualified expressions of confidence on 
 the part of the easy-going Westerner who seemed not 
 to realize the serious nature of the situation. 
 
 "How's the little Missus?" inquired Dave, abruptly 
 changing the subject, a broad grin spreading over his 
 rough bronzed face. "There's a rare little filly, young 
 'un they don't grow out our way jest her gait. I'd 
 like mighty well to take her back with me, but I'm feared 
 she'd buck and cut up troublesome like. Wouldn't like 
 to give her up nohow, I guess?" he queried, good na- 
 turedly. 
 
 "Set down and make yourself to home, young 'un 
 ain't nothin' to worry about," said Joe, quietly amused 
 at the ill-suppressed impatience of the youth which kept 
 him pacing nervously back and forth looking at his 
 watch at short intervals. "Have a smoke?" he ingen- 
 uously inquired, offering Jack a cigar which that young 
 man wisely declined to negotiate. "I 'lowed it war a 
 little heavy for your weight. Dave and me likes 'em
 
 260 MISTER BILL 
 
 as bites, when we don't have our old pipes. We ain't 
 no highfalutin notions, but we sort of agreed we 
 wouldn't smoke our old stokes on this 'ere trip. They 
 don't look none too good, and then again, maybe nobody 
 would care so much about havin' 'em 'round or us either. 
 We're rough old chaps, and there's a heap of things we 
 don't know, but when we take a shy into another man's 
 country we're as decent as we know how to be same 
 as we expect him to be when he comes on to our sec- 
 tion." 
 
 A brisk step was heard in the hall and Waldron sud- 
 denly appeared, much to Jack's relief. "Hello, Jack! 
 Morning, boys comfortable, I see !" greeting his friends 
 with cheery good nature. "Wouldn't they give you a 
 cigar, Jack?" he inquired, as he rolled back the cover of 
 his desk. "Personally, I never take any chances with 
 those cigars. Dave occasionally seems to think that I 
 need an emetic, and prescribes one of his dry dopes, 
 which I indulge by proxy through Joe. Then again, Joe 
 would share his happiness with me, and persuades me 
 to accept a stick of his extract of joy, which I promptly 
 hand over to Dave to assist in undermining his constitu- 
 tion," he affably explained, as he glanced over his mail, 
 and manifested no surprise when informed of the object 
 of the young man's visit. 
 
 "All right, Jack much obliged," was his brief re- 
 ply. 
 
 "What do you want of us, Mister Bill?" inquired 
 Dave. 
 
 "I called a meeting of the board this morning two 
 or three questions to be considered. You need not go, 
 Jack. This is not a secret session," he laughed, "merely
 
 MEN OF IRON NERVE 261 
 
 an informal discussion. "Before night, gentlemen, you 
 will be richer or poorer men " 
 
 "Did you get us down here to tell us all that?" Dave 
 inquired, rather disgustedly. "You might have waited 
 till night, and then you'd know all about it, for sure." 
 
 "Your position is too well taken to admit of argu- 
 ment, David. The thought occurred to me, however, that 
 less embarrassment might result if I told you this morn- 
 ing that your worldly possessions might take wings dur- 
 ing the day, than to be compelled to inform you to-night 
 that they had actually flown. Merely a technical differ- 
 ence, to be sure." 
 
 "You don't 'pear to be worryin' much yourself. When 
 you get oneasy, time enough for me to get nervous," re- 
 plied Dave. 
 
 "Same here," said Joe. 
 
 "What are the views of the board concerning settle- 
 ment should we succeed in stampeding our opponents " 
 
 "I say give 'em hell !" vigorously declared Dave Bishop, 
 bringing his chair down on the floor with a resounding 
 whack. "I say give 'em enough to keep 'em busy on 
 their own claim 'tending to their own business for a 
 spell, and let other folks alone. Give 'em the same as 
 they give us, and I'll be satisfied. Any man orter be 
 willin' to take that!" 
 
 "Sure thing !" chimed Joe. 
 
 "We are bound to recognize the fact, however, that 
 in forcing a settlement beyond certain limits, we may 
 lose all that we might gain by more moderate demands. 
 Now is it desirable to take unnecessary risks for the sake 
 of paying old scores?" 
 
 "Anything you say goes, Mister Bill," declared
 
 262 MISTER BILL 
 
 Dave. "We're in this thing to see her through, and 
 we ain't no quitters and no kickers. Then again, we 
 ain't so crazy to corral all the dust in sight. We jest want 
 what belongs to us, and we ain't no objection to purty 
 fair interest, and a leetle somethin' or other, maybe, for 
 our trouble, and I guess we'll manage to get along on 
 that. Howsomever, we stand by you, Mister Bill. The 
 boys are all dead willin' to make or break with you 
 what's good enough for you is good enough for them." 
 
 "If you can manage to land them fellows a few good 
 sockdolagers where they'll do the most good jest com- 
 plimentary like, to let 'em know we ain't forgot what 
 they've done for us in the same way the boys won't 
 offer no objections, and kind of please 'em, seein' as how 
 they ain't here to see the dirt fly," was the frankly ex- 
 pressed opinion of Mr. Sutter. 
 
 "Now then, gentlemen, there is another aspect of the 
 case we are also bound to consider," Waldron told them. 
 "Suppose we suddenly find ourselves confronted by an 
 overwhelming force, and it is a case of well, hands 
 up?" 
 
 "Ain't never seen you throw up your hands yet, Mis- 
 ter Bill," said Dave, with supreme assurance. 
 
 "Nor me, neither, and I don't cal'late as how I will 
 in this 'ere fracas," Joe opined, with equal compla- 
 cency. 
 
 "Thank you, gentlemen!" laughed Waldron. "Your 
 compliments are as gratifying as they are unnegotiable. 
 The voice of the meeting seems to be unanimous that 
 we give 'em hell so far as may be consistent with our 
 own safety. Has the board any further suggestions to 
 offer?"
 
 MEN OF IRON NERVE 263 
 
 "Nary a one!" said Dave. 
 
 "Nope!" assented Joe. 
 
 "Very well, gentlemen, the business of the meeting is 
 transacted. Our next official duties will presumably be 
 in the nature of obsequies of our friend the enemy, or 
 our own. I trust you will be on hand in case I am 
 compelled to offer you up as a sacrifice," he told them, 
 with brutal candor. 
 
 The meetings of the full board of directors of this 
 unique company differed little except in the number of 
 participants from the informal affair just recorded. In 
 all respects were they marvels of simplicity. The meet- 
 ings were attended under protest, and considered very 
 much of a nuisance by the majority of the members. 
 "The doctor ordered look pleasant and take your medi- 
 cine," was the oft-repeated reply of the young president 
 to the good natured grumblers. Was it another stamp, 
 another engine, matters of finance or law of which 
 there were complexities innumerable this, that, or the 
 other, the questions invariably resolved themselves into 
 "All right, Mister Bill," "Anything you say goes," "Same 
 here," "Me too," with the regularity of a packed cau- 
 cus. Nevertheless, reports and routine business were 
 strictly and carefully maintained, the president and man- 
 ager offering* in extenuation of his scrupulous business 
 methods that if, by fair means or foul, he should land 
 the works high and dry some fine day, they would at 
 least know how it happened, and be full partners in their 
 misfortunes. 
 
 "You see, Jack, we are not long on formalities," Wal- 
 dron remarked to the young man, who had been watch- 
 ing this impromptu disposition of weighty business af-
 
 264 MISTER BILL 
 
 fairs with amused interest. "Dave and Joe are great 
 sticklers in matters of parliamentary procedure on the 
 short side. They believe that brevity is not alone the 
 soul of wit, but the spirit of life as well. They are 
 thoroughly convinced that even fractions of seconds are 
 conducive to life and health, especially when opinions 
 differ as to the relative value of two lives. Theirs is 
 not a theory, but a fact themselves the evidence." 
 
 These offhand observations were briskly and affably 
 delivered in the intervals between telephone calls, des- 
 patching of several messenger boys and rapid scanning 
 of papers, all without apparent haste or uncertainty of 
 thought or action, but rather, creating the impression 
 of greater capacity should occasion require, which caused 
 the young man, who had never seen his friend under 
 stress of business, no little wonder and admiration. The 
 self-possessed indifference of the social man had given 
 way to a briskness and a decision of voice and manner 
 intensely suggestive that he held himself and his business 
 well in hand, and was awaiting the onslaught of the 
 enemy at his pleasure. 
 
 Notwithstanding all this, the young man had grave 
 doubts as to the outcome of the impending conflict, as 
 he knew only too well the countless difficulties and un- 
 foreseen obstacles continually arising to frustrate the best 
 laid plans. He could but feel that the contending forces 
 were vastly unequal; in short, the old, old story of in- 
 sider against outsider, and precedent had long decreed 
 but one almost inevitable result demoralization, if not 
 total annihilation of him who rashly assailed these well- 
 nigh invincible forces in their own stronghold. 
 
 Nor could he understand the strange and seemingly
 
 MEN OF IRON NERVE 265 
 
 reckless indifference of these men as to the outcome 
 of this struggle. The admitted ignorance of the two 
 (and others not in evidence) trusting their all so im- 
 plicitly to the keeping of a man but little older than 
 himself, to fight a financial battle involving hundreds of 
 thousands of dollars against one of the great money 
 powers of the country, seemed to him little less than 
 blind faith; while the supreme indifference and even 
 levity of that one in these trying moments preceding 
 the beginning of that struggle was, to say the least, ill 
 timed and must certainly be attributed to a miscon- 
 ception of the strength of the forces he was pitted 
 against. 
 
 The young man too little understood the rigorous 
 training these men had undergone to intelligently ap- 
 prehend the cause of this blind faith and careless in- 
 difference. He was not aware that every nerve, bone 
 and sinew in their bodies had been innured to hardship, 
 and their mentalities steeled to self-control through years 
 of conflict with men and elements in their wildest and 
 most turbulent forms. These men carried their lives 
 in their hands (so to speak) and the same fearless hearts 
 that had enabled them to contend against greater odds 
 for heavier stakes would not fail them in their present 
 struggle to gain possession of their own, and perhaps 
 mete out just retribution to the despoilers of their rights 
 and property. Or, should failure be their portion, the 
 same indomitable wills would place them on their feet 
 ready for another and a harder struggle. Such happen- 
 ings were but incidents in their lives, not recklessly 
 sought, nor yet timidly avoided, and what to many might 
 be pain and crucifixion, was to them not without a cer-
 
 266 MISTER BILL 
 
 tain zest and pleasure, so thoroughly had their natures 
 become attuned to the extremes of life a cultivated taste, 
 and like their cigars, must "bite" to afford the keenest 
 satisfaction. 
 
 "Lining up!" Jack remarked, sententiously, noting 
 the time, as the ticker emitted a few ominous ticks. 
 "They'll be off in a couple of minutes." 
 
 "All right, Jack," said Waldron, "stand by and let us 
 know how they get away. If she begins to slide give 
 Dave and Joe the word. They will have urgent business 
 with a couple of holes in the ground, if I am not mis- 
 taken. Any old pea-pod will be about my size," he added, 
 under his breath, as he seated himself at his desk. 
 
 "They're off!" Jack suddenly announced. "Here she 
 comes first rattle out of the box five hundred N. M. 
 C. P. at thirty-nine three hundred five hundred at an 
 eighth two hundred one hundred same same 
 three hundred at a quarter five hundred at a half," he 
 called, sometimes continuously, and again at intervals, as 
 the tape recorded the transactions, "and she's holding all 
 right!" he declared, continuing to call off varying quan- 
 tities and prices. 
 
 "That's right, Jack that's what I want to know," said 
 Waldron. 
 
 To the young man this clashing of financial forces 
 was fraught with deep significance ; he viewed it from a 
 totally different standpoint than did the older men. To 
 him it was the natural order of things the way of life 
 and living and to the victor would belong the spoils. 
 It was his education the training he was undergoing 
 each day the routine of his business. As he eagerly 
 scanned the characters on the tape his flushed face and
 
 MEN OF IRON NERVE 267 
 
 snapping eyes betrayed the excitement under which he 
 was laboring. In spirit he was at the side of the arena. 
 He could see the crowd of excited and perspiring men 
 pulling, pushing, and elbowing each other about, the 
 while they gesticulated and shouted wildly and hoarsely 
 in their frantic efforts to make themselves heard above 
 the deafening din. He could hear the sharp piercing 
 cries of triumph rising above the groans of chagrin and 
 yells of derision as the conflict waged fiercer and fiercer. 
 He could see their flushed and pallid faces taking on a 
 deeper hue as the battle turned for or against them. He 
 could read in their strained and set features the fearful 
 struggle of overwrought mentalities some weak and 
 protesting, others bold and defiant each intent upon 
 the conquest of his fellow man. He breathed the excite- 
 ment he was one with them ; he was on the side that was 
 shouting triumphantly today, but tomorrow let tomor- 
 row care for itself. 
 
 The spirit of the ages when man could view with 
 equanimity the rending of his fellow-beings by savage 
 beasts was not extinct. He had progressed to the extent 
 of descending into the pit and fighting his brother to 
 the death. The youth was imbued with the spirit of the 
 times. 
 
 "They're coming along with a clatter just falling over 
 themselves to head off old Consolidated," he cried. 
 
 "They will discover a dark horse in the race before 
 long at the pace they have set," Waldron quietly observed 
 from behind his desk. 
 
 "That's the Burrows combination trying to make a 
 runaway race of it that's his system. He goes after the 
 crowd from the jump, and runs them to a standstill, and
 
 268 MISTER BILL 
 
 then comes on and wins as he likes. But he's found a 
 pace-maker today," cried Jack, exultantly. 
 
 "They are simply playing into our hands to force the 
 pace," was Waldron's brief comment. 
 
 "Hoop ! But they're holding a hot pace !" cried Jack, 
 beside himself with excitement. "The harder they lash 
 her the faster she goes she's taken the bit in her teeth 
 and is running away with them. Forty-one, Mister Bill 
 half three-quarters seven-eighths forty-two !" he 
 called, in quick succession, dancing up and down in his 
 excitement. Your men are taking it in as fast as it comes 
 along. Forty-three now, and slowing up a little. They 
 have just about discovered the dark horse." 
 
 An interval of comparative quiet followed the first 
 fierce onslaught on the stock, which continued with 
 periods of slight cessation for a half hour or more. Dave 
 and Joe smoked on with serene imperturbability, seem- 
 ingly oblivious of the fact that a furicus conflict was 
 being waged not far distant upon the result of which 
 depended, in no small measure, their worldly possessions. 
 "There's plenty of games we know a thing or two about, 
 but this 'ere ain't one of 'em, and we ain't chippin' and 
 botherin' the man that's playin' the hand," Dave conde- 
 scended to remark in further extenuation of their nega- 
 tive attitude. 
 
 "They're cutting loose again!" cried Jack. "Getting 
 their second wind and coming at us once more! It's 
 simply raining Consolidated Properties. And still they 
 come ! Help ! Help ! Mercy !" he fairly shouted, unable 
 to control his excitement. 
 
 "What !" he cried, scanning the tape incredulously, "is
 
 MEN OF IRON NERVE 269 
 
 this my little railroad bobbing up and down like a new 
 spring bonnet the N. M. C Mister Bill?" 
 
 "The same," briefly replied Waldron. "Want to part 
 with your pictures at present quotations?" 
 
 "Slowing down again !" Jack announced, after a while. 
 "Mr. James T. Burrows will begin to think that the moral 
 law is a stern reality if nothing breaks." 
 
 "His acquaintance with anything pertaining thereto 
 is so extremely limited, that he must needs butt up against 
 it a few times before he realizes that the Burrows code 
 is not in operation in this particular transaction," Wald- 
 ron grimly observed, apparently more to himself than for 
 the edification of his companions. 
 
 Whatever may have been the condition of the enemy, 
 Waldron, to all appearances, held his forces well in 
 hand. He had made numerous rapid calculations, offered 
 occasional replies to Jack's running fire of information 
 and comment, and was ever ready with clear and con- 
 cise replies for his brokers, confined for the most part 
 to "yes," "no" or "all right," delivered seemingly with- 
 out the slightest doubt or hesitation. Whatever the 
 outcome of the struggle, be it said to his credit that he 
 fought a good fight, and in all ways showed himself to be 
 as cool under fire as the most intrepid veteran of 
 finance. 
 
 "Any idee, Mister Bill, who started that 'ere slide to 
 workin'? Some purty toler'ble rocks 'pear to be comin' 
 down," Dave was finally moved to inquire. 
 
 "Do you remember that night over on Devil's Ridge 
 that we treed the cat, and you brought her down?" in- 
 quired Waldron, completing a calculation, before interro- 
 gating the other by way of reply.
 
 270 MISTER BILL 
 
 "Sartin, I do." 
 
 "Did you see her?" 
 
 "Can't say as how I did, Mister Bill, but I spied a 
 couple of green lights, and I 'lowed the rest of the cat 
 couldn't be far off, and I let go and she dropped." 
 
 "Felt tolerably sure of bringing her down?" 
 
 "Fair to middlin', I reckon." 
 
 "Well Dave, that is just about the present state of 
 affairs. I followed several trails, and finally succeeded 
 in treeing the game. The game, however, was not aware 
 of the fact, and is only now discovering that it is up a 
 tree. Like our cat, it cannot come down, and the top of 
 the tree is the limit in the other direction. I have let 
 go, and I expect something to drop before long." 
 
 "Moving again!" Jack announced. "They are throw- 
 ing it at you in blocks thousand two thousand three 
 thousand but it's moving steadily up forty-five now, 
 Mister Bill," he cried with increasing excitement. 
 
 "They are trying to break our backs in a final effort 
 it's their only hope," quietly replied Waldron. "If my 
 calculations are correct they have thrown over all the 
 stock in their possession and are now selling something 
 they do not possess and which they will find consider- 
 able difficulty in delivering," he added, significantly. 
 
 "Forty-seven!" cried Jack. "They have stirred up a 
 swarm of bees with all their racket and brought the dear 
 public in to enjoy a sip of their honey the lambs are 
 avenging themselves today." 
 
 "Their assistance has been most timely they will 
 be duly rewarded," Waldron briefly observed. 
 
 "Ah, I see!" laughed Jack. "While you were quietly 
 cornering the stock and steadily raising the price you
 
 MEN OF IRON NERVE 271 
 
 were creating an interest on the part of the public that 
 brought it in to take a hand when you began to jump 
 the price up today it was the signal for all hands to 
 go aboard. Result Mr. Burrows has been caught in 
 his own trap. He must have been surprised at the rav- 
 enous appetite the public suddenly developed for Con- 
 solidated Properties. Forty-nine and still going." 
 
 "I reckon some feller's tongue may be hangin' out 
 about now, Mister Bill ?" Joe suggested, as the other con- 
 cluded a conversation over the telephone. 
 
 "None visible here, Joe." 
 
 "How is it, Mister Bill, if the varmints get good and 
 cornered, can they sneak off into any holes where you 
 can't get at 'em ?" inquired bloodthirsty Dave Bishop. 
 
 "Well, yes, Dave, such a possibility does exist; but 
 the holes into which they would be compelled to slink 
 are rather disagreeable and ill smelling places of refuge, 
 and they will stand considerable prodding before turning 
 tail." 
 
 "Stopped short, Mister Bill!" Jack suddenly cried, 
 closely scanning the tape fearful lest something had es- 
 caped him. "What's happened?" he demanded, quite 
 startled. 
 
 "They have suddenly discovered themselves trapped," 
 coolly replied Waldron, "or," pausing with ominous sug- 
 gestiveness, "they have scented mischief and stopped 
 short on the very brink of the pitfall." 
 
 That the enemy had been beaten in the preliminary 
 skirmish was now apparent. The temporary control of 
 the market had been wrested from him the sudden with- 
 drawal of his forces the acknowledgment. So far all 
 was well, but unless he had walked well into the trap
 
 272 MISTER BILL 
 
 laid for him no permanent advantage had been gained 
 and he would be the same old enemy goaded to greater 
 fury and desperation in thus being balked of his prey. 
 For a brief interval no word was spoken. The ticker 
 clattered on spasmodically. Each man was busy with 
 his own thoughts ; each realized that for better or worse 
 for victory or defeat the deciding blow had been 
 struck. But one, better than the others, knew the mean- 
 ing of that victory or defeat. The sense of his responsi- 
 bility came suddenly home to him ; for the moment he was 
 as the gambler who stakes his money, his home, his repu- 
 tation his all on the turn of a card and that card is 
 withheld from him. 
 
 "Shootin' all over, young 'un or loadin' up for an- 
 other scrimmage?" asked Dave, finally breaking the si- 
 lence. 
 
 "She's climbing up fast on slow sales how is that for 
 a paradox ? Guess they threw a fit when they found they 
 couldn't budge old Consolidated, and your men are 
 putting her up where the dead won't be tempted to rise 
 until you are ready to take the corpse off the ice," said 
 Jack. 
 
 "Young 'un," laughed Dave, "you know a lingo all your 
 own like Joe and me, and if you say the word we'll take 
 you out on the range with us and make a man of you." 
 
 "There's a paradox for you, Jack," said Waldron, con- 
 siderably amused at the rather questionable compliment 
 bestowed upon the young man. 
 
 "Joe and me are goin' out to stretch up a bit, Mister 
 Bill. You think as how we might get a nigh squint 
 at that 'ere corpse?" inquired Dave. 
 
 "I am not quite sure that the corrupt body is prepared
 
 MEN OF IRON NERVE 273 
 
 to admit its defeat, but if you happen around in the 
 course of an hour or so the ghost may be walking pro- 
 vided that life is really extinct," said Waldron, with due 
 conservatism. 
 
 "That's right, Mister Bill. You ain't never sure of 
 some chaps till they're planted. We'll be back, sartin, 
 sure."
 
 CHAPTER XXIX 
 WHO THE DEVIL ARE YOU? 
 
 SOME time later Waldron, the sole occupant of 
 his office, was busily engaged at his desk, when 
 the door was suddenly thrown open, and four 
 gentlemen ushered themselves in without cere- 
 mony. The foremost, none other than Mr. Burrows 
 evidently in no very amiable frame of mind followed 
 by Mr. Morrison, Mr. Lowe and Mr. Chadeller, in the 
 order named. The entrance of these gentlemen seemed 
 not to surprise the lone occupant of the office, nor to 
 interest him to the extent of taking his attention from 
 the array of figures before him. 
 
 "I wish to see the President of Consolidated Prop- 
 erties Burrows is my name," that gentleman announced, 
 somewhat pompously. 
 
 "Yes, sir," replied the individual addressed, appar- 
 ently not deeply impressed by the declaration. 
 
 "My business is important I am in something of a 
 hurry, young man," the portly financier impatiently de- 
 clared. 
 
 "What can I do for you, Mr. Burrows?" was the 
 affable inquiry. 
 
 "My business is with the President of the company 
 I wish to see him." 
 
 "Your wish is gratified, sir," replied Waldron, laying 
 274
 
 WHO THE DEVIL ARE YOU? 275 
 
 down his pen, and settling back in his chair, "How can I 
 serve you?" 
 
 "Your pardon, sir I had expected to find an older 
 man," replied Mr. Burrows, unbending somewhat, and 
 manifestly surprised as he recognized the man before 
 him. "We have called upon you, sir," he continued, with 
 characteristic assurance, "in reference to the stock of 
 your company. You are doubtless aware there has been 
 something of a skirmish in the stock this morning taken 
 quite an upward turn in fact. There seems to be a tem- 
 porary shortage of the stock, and we wish to arrange with 
 you for use, or outright purchase, of sufficient to tide 
 us over the present embarrassment. In the meantime, 
 we may be able to come to some understanding whereby 
 each may serve the best interests of the other in future 
 transactions. 
 
 "We are not selling, Mr. Burrows we are buying." 
 
 "Ah, I see. It is your people who have run the 
 corner? Your brokers were rather noncommittal as to 
 the identity of their principals. Not so bad, after all," 
 he laughed, forcing a certain assumption of levity. 
 "Rather fortunate on the whole, since we can kill two 
 birds with one stone arrange this little matter of the 
 present, as well as a basis for future operations. The 
 time is now ripe for a good turn " 
 
 "One moment, Mr. Burrows," Waldron quietly inter- 
 posed. "Matters may be somewhat simplified if you are 
 made to understand that The Consolidated Properties are 
 now managing their own affairs exclusively. It has 
 been considered advisable for good and sufficient reasons 
 to take the stock practically off the market, at least for 
 the present, and to that end we are buying not selling."
 
 276 MISTER BILL 
 
 The surprise of the other visitors as they recognized 
 the man with whom they were compelled to deal was 
 even more marked than in the case of Mr. Burrows, and 
 if not positively embarrassing, was far from reassuring. 
 Mr. Chadeller was not only surprised, but visibly annoyed, 
 and for a moment seemed undecided whether to beat 
 a retreat, or to stand his ground, but he finally set him- 
 self to pacing back and forth across the opposite side of 
 the office. 
 
 "We have called upon you, my dear sir," replied Mr. 
 Burrows with his most impressive dignity, "to arrange 
 an amicable adjustment of the matter whereby you will 
 profit not less than ourselves, and you will find upon 
 looking the situation over carefully that our interests 
 are too closely allied to warrant, or even to permit you 
 to ignore our propositions " 
 
 "We evidently do not understand each other, Mr. Bur- 
 rows," Waldron again quietly but firmly interposed. "I 
 will endeavor to make myself perfectly clear. You have 
 favored me with your presence simply because no other 
 course is open to you. You have fired your last shot, 
 and instead of hauling down your flag like men and 
 asking for terms of surrender, you would have me be- 
 lieve that you are doing me a very great favor by crawling 
 out of the corner in which you have so unexpectedly 
 found yourselves, and where I am holding you like rats 
 in a trap. Failing in this, you would intimidate me by 
 a bluff, which only too plainly for your purpose echoes 
 the hollowness of your knowledge that the game is up, 
 and you are simply grasping at the last straw, which you 
 do not flatter me by inferring is my timidity and credu- 
 lity. Am I clear, gentlemen?"
 
 WHO THE DEVIL ARE YOU? 277 
 
 "Surely, sir," replied Mr. Burrows, with considerable 
 warmth, "you are laboring under a misapprehension of 
 the conditions you simply do not grasp the situation in 
 all its bearings. As a matter of fact, we are far more 
 necessary to you in this matter, than are you to us. You 
 have a great amount of stock on your hands, and bar- 
 gained for, which is practically without value, as repre- 
 senting substantial equivalent. Your mills are closed 
 and, to be perfectly frank your company and property 
 worked out flat, which you also know, if you are well 
 informed, and will admit the actual conditions. It is, 
 therefore, manifestly to your advantage to unload this 
 stock while you are able to take a flattering profit, and 
 we can assist you to do this to our mutual advantage." 
 
 "Notwithstanding which, the company elects to take 
 the chances of managing its own affairs," said Waldron, 
 with quiet decision. "You have chosen in times past to 
 force your assistance upon us. We have decided to dis- 
 pense with your attentions, and have adopted the most 
 effectual means of ridding ourselves once and for all of 
 associates not to our liking. I don't mind telling you 
 that the mills were shut down yesterday for your especial 
 benefit. You bit ran away with the line. I don't mind 
 telling you also that I have been working for several 
 weeks to bring about this particular result, and I don't 
 need to tell you how well I have succeeded." 
 
 Rage purple, ungovernable rage appeared in the 
 rapidly changing expressions of Mr. Burrows' face as he 
 gazed at the young man who had so boldly defied him, too 
 surprised for the moment to give expression to the con- 
 flict of passion that shook his ponderous frame. Was 
 he, the great and proud man of finance, to go down in
 
 278 MISTER BILL 
 
 defeat before this youthful stranger? Was he to be 
 ignominiously humbled before the world his world 
 where he ruled with a mighty power, and where he had 
 come to regard himself as well nigh invincible? In that 
 one brief moment the long line of his unbroken victories 
 on which he was wont to pride himself seemed to pass 
 before him like mocking spectres of his erstwhile great- 
 ness they were as naught compared to this one defeat. 
 He could never live it down. His name was a power 
 it was synonymous with success ; his was the magic 
 touch which brought victory out of defeat. He gloried 
 in his power, he exulted in his success. He was jealous 
 of his reputation as a successful financier. His ruling 
 passion was to become the acknowledged leader the 
 high potentate in the world where money was king, 
 and where mankind was but the plaything of its caprice. 
 He had mounted high on the ladder of his ambition 
 he was well towards the topmost rung; but a few steps 
 more and he would reach the lofty position to which 
 his eyes had so long been turned, and towards which 
 he had steadily climbed with that indomitable persever- 
 ance which took no heed of obstacles, and recognized no 
 law but the law of desire the gratification of his selfish 
 ambitions. And now now with one swift and almost 
 incomprehensible stroke the structure on which he had 
 expended his life's best efforts, and on which he rested 
 in fancied security, was about to be struck from under 
 him. Instinctively he realized that he had over-reached 
 himself at last. In that one fateful moment he knew 
 that he had reached the turning point in his career and 
 that his ambitions were never to be realized. As his 
 character had contained the elements of his strength,
 
 WHO THE DEVIL ARE YOU? 279 
 
 it had also contained the elements of his weakness ; a 
 greater law than he knew was at work, and the man 
 before him was but the instrument of its power. He 
 was face to face with justice stern, uncompromising 
 justice. He recognized it he knew he was beaten. He 
 even felt his littleness as a man compared with this young 
 stranger whose unflinching gaze held his own and 
 seemed to read him through and through the very 
 smallness of his nature was laid bare even to himself. 
 Whipped though he was, he could not tamely submit. 
 The animal in him must find expression he bellowed. 
 
 "You don't know me young man! You have a great 
 deal to learn, let me tell you you are only a boy in this 
 business," he thundered, shaking his massive fist. "In 
 the temporary advantage you have gained simply because 
 no attention has been paid to your movements with your 
 whipper-snapper mines you think that the game is yours. 
 It is only just begun you hear me just begun. Before 
 you have done congratulating yourself you will find the 
 ground pulled from under your feet, and you will be 
 begging for mercy where now you fling back a well- 
 intentioned proffer of assistance. Who the devil are 
 you, who thinks to come here and dictate terms to men 
 old enough to be your father? Who are you, I say? I 
 want to know you, young man, and I'll teach you a 
 lesson " 
 
 "I'll tell you who I am," the other flashed back, his 
 voice and maner undergoing a sudden change, as he ad- 
 vanced towards Mr. Burrows with no uncertain move- 
 ment, causing that gentleman to pause abruptly in his 
 speech and fall back a step or two, for even in his anger 
 he had no idea of measuring strength with this young
 
 280 MISTER BILL 
 
 stalwart. "I'll tell you who I am, Mr. Burrows, since 
 you have expressed such an enthusiastic desire to know ; 
 and you, Mr. Chadeller, having also manifested consider- 
 able curiosity on this same subject, may be interested/ 1 
 paying his respects to that gentleman. "William Wald- 
 ron, is my name, Mr. Burrows. Charles L. Waldron, a 
 man you ruined and sent to his grave by your damnable 
 schemes and unscrupulous methods that make an honest 
 man but a puppet in your clutches, was my father. Be- 
 fore we have done with each other I venture to say that 
 your desire to know me will be gratified beyond your 
 most sanguine expectations. That is how I fear you, 
 Mr. Burrows." 
 
 "And so after many years the son has returned to 
 avenge the father true to fiction, indeed!" sneeringly 
 replied Mr. Burrows, too surprised at this unexpected 
 turn of affairs to maintain his belligerent attitude. "My 
 dealings with your father, sir, I would have you know, 
 were legitimate entirely legitimate as are all my deal- 
 ings. No man can say to the contrary my record speaks 
 for itself," he strenuously insisted, yet rather more on the 
 defensive than might have been expected from him. 
 
 "Codes differ, Mr. Burrows. Some manage to evade 
 that which they richly deserve, and are successful men 
 others less fortunate, are rogues," replied Waldron, 
 very shortly, evidently not in an argumentative frame of 
 mind. "I have not, as you suggest, returned in the role 
 of avenger. However, as it was to be, I would rathef 
 see you, of all men, in the particular position you now 
 occupy my duty is less disagreeable." 
 
 "Well, what do you ask?" growled the discom- 
 fited financier, with exceedingly poor grace.
 
 WHO THE DEVIL ARE YOU? 281 
 
 "I don't ask anything. My dealings with you, sir, are 
 in the form of demands. Were I in a position only to 
 ask, you would not trouble yourself to inquire," replied 
 Waldron, with cool composure, meeting the other on 
 his own ground. 
 
 "Consolidated Properties are now quoted at seventy," 
 said Mr. Burrows, scanning the tape. "You will make 
 us a basis of settlement considerably less than that figure 
 the quotation is a mere detail," he declared, with im- 
 pressive assurance. 
 
 "Hardly, Mr. Burrows in fact, not anything like the 
 present quotation. The quotation, as you say, is a mere 
 detail, and will shortly be higher very much higher. I 
 can make it a hundred, two hundred, three hundred or 
 five hundred, if I choose, as you very well know." 
 
 "Do you mean to rob me?" roared the outraged finan- 
 cier, his anger instantly at white heat. 
 
 "If that is your interpretation when you apply the 
 same treatment to others in a similar position to your- 
 self, I have no objection," replied Waldron, indiffer- 
 ently. "Another interpretation, however, might be that 
 I propose to recover some of the money you have taken 
 from us at various times, some recompense for trouble 
 and annoyances, interest " 
 
 "I won't stand it, sir I won't stand it! I'll see you 
 hanged before I'll submit to any such outrage! I'll see 
 you " 
 
 "All this is entirely aside from the point at issue, Mr. 
 Burrows," interposed Waldron, stemming an increased 
 outburst of anger on the part of the infuriated gentleman. 
 "My brokers are in possession of the terms of settlement. 
 You may arrange the matter with them or not, as you
 
 282 MISTER BILL 
 
 choose. Of the alternative, you are well aware. Within 
 an hour from your refusal of settlement the telegraph 
 will tell the world of the unenviable position Burrows & 
 Company have made for themselves. Possibly an extra 
 or two may be issued in your honor, and every news 
 urchin in the country will cry your " 
 
 "I don't believe you could pay for the stock if we 
 delivered it ! I don't believe " 
 
 "Your position certainly behooves you to make the ex- 
 periment, Mr. Burrows, and when we fail you will be 
 relieved of an embarrassing situation," Waldron once 
 more interposed, to the evident discomfort not only of 
 Mr. Burrows, but of his faithful followers, who up to 
 this time had refrained from taking any active part in 
 the conversation, and to whom it was now apparent that 
 their purpose was not being subserved by the bluffs and 
 threats of their angry leader. 
 
 "Surely, Mr. Waldron," said Mr. Morrison, in his 
 suavest tones, "surely there must be some way to an 
 amicable adjustment of this matter. Can you afford, 
 even though you may possess some temporary advantage, 
 to entirely ignore the proposition we are making you? 
 The arrangements we suggest will make you a great deal 
 of money a very great deal which your directors may 
 not feel inclined to rashly cast aside. I have no doubt 
 that money is a consideration to them as well as to us 
 all," smiling blandly, seemingly well satisfied that he 
 had advanced an incontrovertible argument. 
 
 "My directors are in full accord with me in this 
 matter, Mr. Morrison," replied Waldron, with cold for- 
 mality. 
 
 "We are sometimes carried away by the impetuosity
 
 WHO THE DEVIL ARE YOU? 283 
 
 of youth," continued Mr. Morrison, apparently not too 
 well pleased with the result of his first effort. "Youth is 
 the time of hope and confidence and we are prone to 
 over-estimate our strength in the light of some slight 
 success achieved. We older men have long since learned 
 the lesson that youthful impetuosity and over confidence 
 teaches, and we are satisfied to accept that which comes 
 within our reach today, rather than to build castles in the 
 air for future occupancy, only to find them crumbled to 
 pieces by forces we could not foresee. Perhaps, sir," paus- 
 ing for a moment and smiling with elderly indulgence, 
 "you have men of mature years on your board of direc- 
 tors whose ideas would not differ from those which I 
 have expressed, and who to use a homely simile would 
 prefer a bird in the hand to several in the bush. We 
 have not talked the matter over among ourselves, but I 
 am quite sure we could make it to your interest your 
 personal interest, understand if you were to favor this 
 idea with your directors, which will net you a very hand- 
 some sum entirely apart from the original deal in which 
 your company will profit none the less." 
 
 "I also had a similar thought in mind," said Mr. Lowe, 
 with patronizing affability. "Mr. Waldron has shown 
 himself a young man possessed of most exceptional abil- 
 ities, and I am thoroughly convinced that we should 
 make him some very substantial inducements to combine 
 forces with us. All things considered, he seems a man 
 peculiarly adapted to our particular requirements. Young 
 blood we need young blood to assist in handling the 
 tremendous enterprises which are now the order of the 
 day in these strenuous times of ours. And I may also 
 add and in this, gentlemen, I am sure I but voice your
 
 284 MISTER BILL 
 
 heartiest sentiments," deferring to his companions, "in 
 forming business relations with us, Mr. Waldron also 
 becomes one of us socially, and I trust," smiling benig- 
 nantly upon that young man, "he will not decide hastily, 
 but will give the matter further and very serious consid- 
 eration." 
 
 "Thank you, gentlemen thank you !" replied Waldron, 
 regarding the men with something of amused pity and 
 contempt. "I could not possibly consider your propo- 
 sitions for two reasons the first annuls the second, and 
 the second you would hardly comprehend." 
 
 "We have a fairly good understanding of the common- 
 places, Mr. Waldron, and I dare say we shall be able to 
 grasp your meaning," replied Mr. Burrows, gravely sar- 
 castic. 
 
 "Well, then, the first, because I agree with Mr. Mor- 
 rison, perfectly I have too good a possibility in my 
 hand to drop for several in the bush. You doubtless 
 understand that without difficulty, Mr. Burrows. As I 
 said before, the first annuls the second. Know then, that 
 associated with me in this enterprise are men of the 
 mountains, rough fellows all, but true as steel. These 
 men have entrusted their all to me with implicit confi- 
 dence that I will look after their interests to the best of 
 my ability, and this, gentlemen, will be the anomaly 
 to you your combined wealth doubled and trebled would 
 be no inducement for me to make one move that I did 
 not honestly believe was for the best interests of all con- 
 cerned. Your gold would not repay me for betraying their 
 confidence. I take no credit to myself I don't know 
 any other way to figure the general problem. I simply 
 don't know how to hold gold at a higher value than I
 
 WHO THE DEVIL ARE YOU? 285 
 
 hold my self respect. When I sacrifice that, then shall I 
 consider myself your equal and prepared to listen to 
 your glittering schemes of business, your suave blandish- 
 ments for social distinction, drink your wines, and rate 
 myself a bully good fellow according to your peculiar 
 standards. Gentlemen, I consider your propositions not 
 only an insult to me as a man, but an exceedingly small 
 and cheap estimate upon my business perspicacity. The 
 former I might overlook, considering the source, but 
 the latter is far too grave an offense to be lightly con- 
 doned," he told them, with a grim humor that accorded 
 well with the equally grim sarcasm of his words. 
 
 Altogether the gentlemen had received a most uncom- 
 fortable shock as they realized the utter futility of at- 
 tempting to work their influence over the man who com- 
 pelled not only a certain respect for himself as a man, 
 but feelings akin to fear by the power he held over them. 
 
 "W-h-o-o-p! W-h-o-o-p!" suddenly rang out two 
 blood-curdling yells which seemed to cause the walls and 
 ceiling to vibrate and give back another, and yet another 
 of their kind, creating no little dismay among the oc- 
 cupants of the room, who were thus rudely made aware 
 of the presence of two very animated specimens of West- 
 ern life and vigor. Dave and Joe had entered the office 
 unobserved, and the concluding remarks of their young 
 friend struck a responsive chord in their robust bosoms, 
 to which they gave prompt and informal expression. 
 
 "Solemn enough to be corpses ! Don't see as they look 
 no different from any dead men as come to life and sorry 
 they did," said Joe, scanning the gentlemen curiously 
 with his sharp eyes. 
 
 "I reckon, Mister Bill, seein' as how they've finished
 
 286 MISTER BILL 
 
 their business they're about ready to go down the hist," 
 said Dave, with suggestive emphasis, which query the 
 gentlemen answered for themselves by making as hasty 
 an exit as their dignity or what remained of the super- 
 abundance they brought with them would permit. All 
 except Mr. Chadeller, who throughout the interview had 
 maintained a discreet silence, seemingly not vitally in- 
 terested in the particular matter under discussion. 
 
 "I feel, Mr. Waldron, that I owe you an apology," 
 he said, not without embarrassment, as he advanced 
 toward that gentleman, not quite sure of his reception. 
 "I was not aware " 
 
 "You have business with me, Mr. Chadeller?" Wald- 
 ron inquired, very courteously. 
 
 "Yes. The fact is, I am also short a small amount of 
 your stock. I do not feel that I am entitled to any cour- 
 tesies at your hands. I can only hope that you will feel 
 inclined to accord me the consideration of one business 
 man to another. It is only fair to myself to say, how- 
 ever, that my connection with this affair is entirely apart 
 from the gentlemen with whom you have been dealing. 
 Nor have I been connected with any previous transactions 
 in the stock. I merely took a flyer this morning at the 
 suggestion of Mr. Burrows, and immediately found my- 
 self in trouble the result of following the advice of a 
 friend, and going outside of one's own specialties." 
 
 "Very well, Mr. Chadeller, I will instruct my brokers 
 to settle with you at the market, which I trust will be 
 satisfactory." 
 
 "Entirely so, and I thank you for the consideration. 
 I trust there are no hard feelings between us, Mr. Wald- 
 ron?"
 
 WHO THE DEVIL ARE YOU? 287 
 
 "None, Mr. Chadeller," briefly replied the other, re- 
 suming his chair. 
 
 "I hope we shall see more of you in the future. I 
 knew your father well, and entertained a very great re- 
 spect for him " 
 
 "Pardon me, Mr. Chadeller," said Waldron, turning 
 in his chair, and regarding the other fixedly for a mo- 
 ment, "I am precisely the same man today as last evening, 
 and upon one other occasion when we chanced to meet. 
 You were pleased to place your stamp of disapproval 
 upon me as a man. By that standard I prefer to be 
 judged rather than by any former position which may 
 or may not have been mine. The privilege was yours 
 I abide your decision. Our relations are purely business 
 and, I believe concluded." 
 
 Good-day, thus invited, was promptly offered and 
 echoed. 
 
 " 'Pears to me a good wallopin' wouldn't do him no 
 more harm than the rest of 'em you let that feller off 
 purty easy, Mister Bill," said Dave, rather disgustedly, 
 as the door closed after the gentleman. 
 
 "Yes, Dave. He is not one of the particular and 
 select coterie, and we are not holding a man up simply 
 because we can put a gun at his head," replied Waldron. 
 
 "Maybe you're right, Mister Bill, maybe you're right, 
 but I allus believe in puttin' your weight on a rattler 
 when you've got him sort of handy like under your heel. 
 Don't do no harm to nobody, and might do a sight of 
 good."
 
 CHAPTER XXX 
 
 MAN TO MAN 
 
 IT'S the reigning sensation! The evening papers 
 fairly bristle with excitement and importance. 
 Brought down a bunch got them all. Thought 
 you might like to become acquainted with your- 
 self. You are supplied with a life history gratis, I imag- 
 ine. You are the wonder of the age the Napoleon of 
 Finance in big type, if you please. They have unfor- 
 tunately detracted from your good looks worked in a 
 convenient baseball player for the phenomenal young 
 financier, I dare say. You don't seem any the worse for 
 your experience," said Jack, critically regarding his guest, 
 as he admitted him into the familiar living room of his 
 home. 
 
 "No appreciable disability to date," Waldron briefly 
 replied, seemingly not imbued with the enthusiasm of his 
 young friend. 
 
 "The street seems to think the whole affair a huge 
 joke on Burrows and his crowd. Mighty few are sorry 
 that a reef has finally been taken in the old man's sails. 
 Just to think of the old fellow walking up to the captain's 
 office and writing his little check for big figures, and 
 settling like any of the small fry. It's a new experience 
 for him ; he will never forgive you, but I guess you can 
 stand it. Lots of people know you remember you as a 
 
 288
 
 MAN TO MAN 289 
 
 boy knew your father. Oh! you will have plenty of 
 friends, and they won't be long in making their ap- 
 pearance. I guess that was why you were willing to 
 come down here tonight to get away from the crowd 
 camping on your trail?" queried the young man, sud- 
 denly realizing that his remarks were not receiving the 
 attention he deemed them worthy. 
 
 "Partially, and partially because I wished to see Mrs. 
 Davidge. I have reason to believe that her affairs are 
 more or less involved in the general transaction. I under- 
 stood last evening that she was coming down today with 
 the girls." 
 
 "Yes, they will be here on the next train. Did you 
 notice that my little railroad developed considerable 
 strength, or didn't you think of it in the general excite- 
 ment?" 
 
 "I managed to keep it in sight, considering that it was 
 a part of the deal," said Waldron, smiling at the young 
 man's enthusiasm. 
 
 "So that was what brought it so suddenly to life?" 
 
 "Yes. Consolidated Properties rescued the railroad 
 from bankruptcy, and owns the controlling interest. From 
 now on the railroad will share in the prosperity of the 
 whole district." 
 
 "Even at the present quotations my mother has more 
 than sufficient to pay the mortgage, and I suppose the 
 stock will continue to increase in value, will it not?" 
 
 "Not an unreasonable supposition." 
 
 "And just to think of that despised little railroad bob- 
 bing up like a jack-in-the-box! Mr. Burrows probably 
 wishes that he had held the stock a little longer. By 
 the way, mother has been formally notified that arrange-
 
 290 MISTER BILL 
 
 ments have been made with Mr. Chadeller to assume 
 the responsibility of the mortgage. He has agreed 
 to carry it for a year, and altogether Mr. Burrows 
 seemed to consider the matter very well disposed of. 
 As he never stood to lose any of his own money, he could 
 afford to make a liberal discount to Mr. Chadeller, and 
 that shrewd gentleman sees prospective profits in the rap- 
 idly increasing value of the property, and is content to 
 bide his time." 
 
 "Your conclusions are fairly well based, I should say, 
 young man. But if you will pardon the change from a 
 very interesting to a very commonplace subject what 
 size collars do you wear?" 
 
 "Come upstairs, and I will see what I can do for you," 
 laughed Jack, leading the way. 
 
 At Waldron's request, the two had come down to Jack's 
 home, Jack preceding his guest by an hour or more. 
 The day had certainly been a most eventful one for the 
 young financier, and he might well feel elated with his 
 success. He had come out of the West a stranger and 
 alone ; he had boldly and fearlessly invaded the strong- 
 hold of the enemy; he had quietly and deliberately laid 
 his plans of campaign, and had fought a sharp and de- 
 cisive engagement resulting in the utter and complete 
 rout of his opponents. He not only had made himself 
 and those immediately associated with him richer by 
 many thousands of dollars, but had placed their property 
 beyond the reach of the scheming and unscrupulous in- 
 dividuals that had preyed upon it for months, and had 
 taught them a lesson they would not soon forget. His 
 name was on thousands of lips this night for not alone in 
 the great city but far and wide the telegraph had sped
 
 MAN TO MAN 291 
 
 the news of the big corner and the few conspicuous facts 
 concerning the young man to whom was due the credit of 
 its conception and execution. 
 
 In the city he was eagerly sought. Friends of his boy- 
 hood from whose recollection he had long since faded 
 were eager to renew the acquaintance ; others who knew 
 him not were no less anxious to make his acquaintance. 
 Reporters were lying in wait for him to obtain more 
 detailed information concerning himself and the affair 
 for their morning papers. But he was not to be found and 
 he might as well have disappeared from off the earth 
 for all the information to be obtained of him this night. 
 The penalty of success had begun to clamor for an early 
 reckoning. 
 
 "In this way, Mrs. Winston, you will be relieved of all 
 embarrassment and responsibility, and well rid of the 
 mortgage once and for all." The speaker was Mr. 
 Chadeller, addressing Mrs. Winston, as they entered the 
 living room, continuing a conversation begun in an ad- 
 joining room. "As I have explained, I am willing to ex- 
 change the mortgage for the stock, and take chances 
 of its becoming of value to me sooner or later." 
 
 The joy of the good woman when she finally grasped 
 the full meaning of this splendid offer was beyond her 
 power to express. The possibility of being so easily rid 
 of the dark cloud hanging over the little home like 
 an impending fate was too good to be true. In the ex- 
 citement occasioned by this unexpected piece of good 
 fortune she had taken the package of certificates from 
 the little tin box in which they had reposed since com- 
 ing into her possession, and was about to hand them to 
 Mr. Chadeller, when Jack's admonition to take good care
 
 292 MISTER BILL 
 
 of them suddenly occurred to her. To be sure, Jack 
 had cautioned her to guard them well, yet what better 
 purpose could they serve than to be exchanged for the 
 dread mortgage she knew of none. She led the way 
 into the living room expecting to find Jack. She was 
 not aware of the arrival of his friend, nor had Mr. 
 Chadeller any idea that either was in the house. Jack 
 was rarely at home except on Sundays, and an occasional 
 Saturday afternoon, and to a knowledge of this fact 
 might safely be attributed Mr. Chadeller's presence in 
 the house at this particular time. He advanced some 
 further reasons why the exchange should be consum- 
 mated without delay; indeed, it was all perfectly simple, 
 the mere matter of Jack's approval the only obstacle 
 which, after all, was not essential, and he would be no 
 less pleased to be so easily rid of the troublesome mort- 
 gage. 
 
 "Y-e-s, Mr. Chadeller," she finally assented, "it seems 
 quite clear that I should accept your very kind and gen- 
 erous offer. I have here the certificates, and if you really 
 feel justified in making the exchange I will surrender 
 them to you," tears springing into the good woman's 
 eyes, "and you cannot understand, Mr. Chadeller, how 
 very grateful I am how grateful we all are ' 
 
 "Pardon me, Mrs. Winston," a voice interposed. "Per- 
 mit me," the same voice continued, its owner advancing 
 and extending his hand to relieve her of the package 
 on which the other man was about closing his fingers. 
 
 So deeply had both been absorbed with the serious 
 matter engaging their attention that two men had slowly 
 descended the stairs, and one had even advanced leisurely 
 across the room before his presence was discovered. Mrs.
 
 MAN TO MAN 293 
 
 Winston was not a little surprised and confused by this 
 strange proceeding, yet she surrendered the papers with- 
 out protest the whole affair from beginning to end was 
 beyond her comprehension. 
 
 Consternation was the portion of Mr. Chadeller, and 
 could he have quietly dropped through the floor, he 
 would doubtless have made such informal disposition 
 of himself. Surely surprises had been his portion over- 
 much an avenging fate in the person of the man before 
 him seemed to be hard upon his trail. 
 
 "You may safely entrust the matter with me for the 
 moment, Mrs. Winston," said Waldron, "and Jack," 
 addressing that young man, "I will have a few words 
 with the gentleman," whereupon mother and son with- 
 drew, leaving the two men alone. The one, thought- 
 fully contemplating the package of certificates he held 
 in his hand, the other, waiting with ill-concealed dis- 
 comfiture the next move on the part of the man who 
 had arranged this private interview. Several times he 
 essayed to break the embarrassing silence, but his half- 
 formed words failed of audible expression. 
 
 The situation was becoming positively unbearable 
 when Waldron slowly raised his eyes and studied the 
 other curiously for a brief moment before breaking the 
 silence. "Mr. Chadeller," he finally said, "I dealt with 
 you to-day as a man one man with another. I find 
 I made a mistake. You are incapable of appreciating 
 such treatment. I should have bitten." 
 
 "I don't understand you, sir! My business here is 
 entirely legitimate and straightforward. If I choose to 
 exchange the mortgage for the stock, and to take chances 
 of making a few dollars or of losing a few perhaps all
 
 294 MISTER BILL 
 
 and at the same time do my friends a good turn, I 
 fail to see how I am open to censure. It is simply a 
 matter of business in which they are relieved of an ob- 
 ligation, while I may profit, or I may lose. Do you blame 
 me?" 
 
 "No! I pity you!" said Waldron, with fine con- 
 tempt. 
 
 "Sir!" Mr. Chadeller indignantly exclaimed. "I am 
 well within my rights and privileges in this matter, I 
 would have you understand," he vigorously declared, 
 placing himself at once on the defensive. 
 
 "To be sure you are. It is your privilege to barter 
 with Mr. Burrows for this mortgage which, as a mat- 
 ter of fact, is not worth the paper despoiled in its mak- 
 ing, which you know, as well as he. It is also your 
 privilege to tire of your bargain, and seek to exchange 
 this same worthless mortgage for the certificates you 
 deemed equally worthless, but which have suddenly 
 acquired value unknown to the woman from whom you 
 would now secure them by misrepresentation all of 
 which as you say, is legitimate. You are to be con- 
 gratulated upon your business perspicacity your con- 
 ception is entirely correct. The stock will become ex- 
 ceedingly valuable is valuable now while your mort- 
 gage will depreciate very materially. The weak point 
 in your calculations is in the time of your coming. You 
 are early by several hours. You should have come in 
 through the back window, and " 
 
 "Sir!" 
 
 "Possibly you might have possessed yourself of 
 the certificates and the mortgage," said Waldron, pay- 
 ing no heed to the indignant outburst of the other.
 
 MAN TO MAN 295 
 
 "What do you mean, sir? Do you mean to insinuate 
 that I would commit a theft? Have a care, you are 
 treading on dangerous ground!" he admonished, with 
 increasing anger, and a certain assumption of bravado. 
 
 "Not necessarily," replied Waldron, with exasperating 
 coolness. "I merely suggested two methods of ac- 
 complishing the same object. You have shown your 
 fine discretion by adopting legitimate business methods, 
 which entitle you to the fine protection of the law. 
 Had I come upon you as suddenly while employing the 
 other method, which is only another way of accomplish- 
 ing the same result, the same law would protect me in 
 administering the punishment you so richly deserve. In 
 other words, the fine distinction of the law saves you 
 from yourself, and makes you an honest man entitled 
 to the respect of the community in which you dwell. Mr. 
 Chadeller, you are deeply indebted to the wise and benefi- 
 cent laws of your country." 
 
 Confronted by a weaker man physically or mentally, 
 Mr. Chadeller would doubtless have resented such un- 
 qualified aspersions upon his character much more vigor- 
 ously than he deemed advisable under existing condi- 
 tions. There was that about the man who had placed 
 him so completely on the defensive by laying bare mo- 
 tives he had sought to hide even from himself, which 
 tended to exert a restraining influence over his own 
 weaker and ill poised mentality, although evidence was 
 not wanting of an inner tumult of passion. 
 
 "You might go further and say that the whole affair 
 is none of yours, and you will have more justification 
 for the assertion than any you have yet made," he de- 
 clared, very warmly. "I am capable of managing my
 
 296 MISTER BILL 
 
 own affairs without your assistance, as is Mrs. Winston, 
 I dare say. If she does not choose to accept my offer, 
 well and good, and no harm done. I may then decide 
 that I want the money on the mortgage. In any event 
 I have no further dealings with you in connection with 
 this or any other matter, and we will consider this in- 
 terview which I dare say you so kindly arranged, think- 
 ing to intimidate me concluded, young man. I warn 
 you, no more of your nonsense with me no more of it 
 do you understand?" 
 
 "Perfectly, Mr. Chadeller you evidently do not. I 
 will enlighten you. We have only arrived at the real 
 object of this interview I will detain you but a moment 
 longer. You have not settled that little matter of to-day, 
 I believe?" 
 
 "Practically so, yes. The details have been arranged, 
 and the matter will be formally closed in the morning." 
 
 "The offer is withdrawn, Mr. Chadeller," he was in- 
 formed with startling abruptness. "I haven't much 
 faith in that particular mortgage, but papers with signa- 
 tures attached in unscrupulous hands sometimes become 
 more or less annoying, and no harm can come from 
 clipping its wings. I exact that mortgage, Mr. Chadel- 
 ler, as a bonus on the settlement that I offered you to- 
 day, and I will see you at my office at ten o'clock to-mor- 
 row morning and conclude our business relations finally, 
 I trust." 
 
 "What do you mean, sir? This is outrageous out- 
 rageous, sir!" fairly howled the surprised and infuriated 
 Mr. Chadeller. "Is this business according to your fine 
 ideas agree upon one settlement, and avail yourself 
 of a technicality to demand another? I won't stand it
 
 MAN TO MAN 297 
 
 you hear me, sir I won't stand such nonsense. It's 
 not business !" 
 
 "You are right. It is not business according to my 
 ideas. The methods, however, are yours not mine. I 
 am properly ashamed to employ them, and my sole justi- 
 fication is the fact that I am compelled to adopt the 
 same weapons as my adversaries. Mr. Chadeller, I was 
 willing to deal with you as a man, and I showed my 
 sincerity by making the first advances when you were 
 in my power. Now I am dealing with you the only way 
 you are capable of appreciating I am biting. 
 
 "And if I refuse?" 
 
 "You will settle on the same basis as Mr. Burrows 
 and his followers, which still leaves a comfortable mar- 
 gin to make the settlement I now offer you rather more 
 desirable, if I mistake not. However, it is for you 
 to decide, and I shall consider your failure to meet me 
 at the appointed time as equivalent to a refusal of 
 my proposition. Now, sir, the interview is concluded."
 
 CHAPTER XXXI 
 "YOU LOVE ME?" 
 
 ONE after another the characters in the great 
 drama of life make their entrances and their 
 exits. Some are applauded some are con- 
 demned; each plays the part for which he is 
 cast it is a law none may transgress. 
 
 Mr. Chadeller had no sooner taken his departure than 
 Waldron was favored with another presence vastly more 
 agreeable. Said agreeable presence appeared in the form 
 of a very brisk young woman clad in a most becoming 
 tailor-made gown, topped by an equally fetching crea- 
 tion of the milliner's art, and swinging a very elongated 
 umbrella. 
 
 "Well, I'm a bear! I may not look the part, but I 
 am!" was the surprising declaration of this interesting 
 creature as she planted the aforesaid umbrella directly 
 before her and contemplated the man with mingled seri- 
 ousness and amusement, the former, however, seeming 
 to predominate. "From all I am able to understand," 
 she further declared, "the bulls turned the tables on the 
 bears and drove them into the woods helter-skelter, and 
 well, really, I don't know why do they do such 
 things?" she asked, quite helplessly. 
 
 "Beastly shabby of the bulls !" he told her, not very 
 sympathetically, it is to be feared. 
 
 298
 
 "YOU LOVE ME?"' 299 
 
 "I am one of the unfortunates, it seems," she con- 
 tinued, not much enlightened by his reply. "Lost all 
 my money or most of it. Mr. Lowe sent me a sort 
 of preparatory warning this afternoon, and was to have 
 seen me this evening to give me full particulars, which 
 I did not wait to hear. If he has lost my money that 
 ends it. I cannot be of any assistance to him. To be 
 sure, I might worry him a good bit, but that would only 
 make the poor man more miserable, and not give me 
 any satisfaction. Jack told me you were here, so I 
 came to tell you my troubles I must confide in some 
 one. How are you? Troubles first greetings after- 
 wards," she laughed, forcing herself with evident effort 
 to make light of her misfortune. 
 
 "Perhaps, after all, the affair has been grossly ex- 
 aggerated," he suggested, the conversation again revert- 
 ing to her troubles. 
 
 "Ah, yes, to be sure you could not well miss it! 
 The occasion distinctly calls for one of two replies 
 any variation would have stamped you a genius. You 
 might have brutally suggested that the worst was yet 
 to come." 
 
 "I was conscious of the extremely commonplace char- 
 acter of my remark. However, as I failed to achieve 
 greatness, I may, perhaps, congratulate myself that I 
 also failed to transgress precedent." 
 
 "Of course I must dispose of my house, horses, and 
 all accessories, which I do not so much mind on my 
 own account, but my mother will take quite another 
 view," she told him, more seriously. "I have not as 
 yet informed her I was not up to it. The disposition 
 of the property involves certain complications, which I
 
 300 MISTER BILL 
 
 do not in the least understand, except that the proceeds 
 do not all revert to me in fact, but a small portion. I 
 was supposed to have sufficient to squander aside from 
 the property, and everything was carefully arranged so 
 that I might not, in a mad moment, do away with my 
 worldly possessions in one wild swoop. I was beauti- 
 fully protected against myself, and left to the mercy of 
 my guardian, as events have proved. Whether I still 
 possess a place to lay my blessed head, or am a subject 
 for my own asylum, is beyond me just at present." 
 
 "Allow me to relieve you of your umbrella; and will 
 you remove your hat?" he considerately suggested, at 
 the conclusion of her remarks to which he had listened 
 very intently. 
 
 "Don't you like my hat?" she inquired, seemingly 
 surprised at his apparent lack of appreciation. "I think 
 it perfectly lovely! However, to oblige the gentleman, 
 I will sacrifice even my hat," proceeding to comply with 
 his request. "I'm a fright, which is a trifle, if the gen- 
 tleman is pleased," she declared, with charming resigna- 
 tion, brushing several recreant locks into place. 
 
 "The hat as you say, is perfectly lovely no aspersions 
 intended, I assure you. I desire a few moments' very 
 serious conversation with you, and the hat and umbrella 
 would be sure to get on my nerves." 
 
 "Nerves, indeed ! You' never had one. The lack of 
 them is far more likely to upset you. I am at once 
 suspicious when you confess to a weakness. What devil- 
 try are you up to now, sir?" 
 
 "Will you sit here ?" he said, arranging a pillow at one 
 end of the small sofa. 
 
 "Now I am convinced that something is about to hap-
 
 "YOU LOVE ME?" 301 
 
 pen. However, I am prepared for the worst I believe 
 I have reached a state of recklessness," she laughed, as 
 she accepted the place made for her. 
 
 "You see I am taking complete possession of you. I 
 am quite convinced that you are in sad need of a pro- 
 tector," he told her, as he took possession of the other 
 half of the sofa. 
 
 "I am sure of it. If I received my just deserts I 
 should be reduced to short strings, given my doll rags, 
 and relegated to first principles generally." 
 
 "Is not that rather an extreme view of your immediate 
 requirements ?" 
 
 "Mine is an extreme case. Heroic treatment only, 
 would be efficacious." 
 
 "Will you permit me to prescribe for you?" he in- 
 quired, more seriously than he had yet spoken. 
 
 "I fear that your prescription would avail me little," 
 she said, regarding him rather doubtfully. "However, 
 you may prescribe, but understand, sir, I unequivocally 
 reserve the privilege of rejection " 
 
 "That is ever the prerogative of your sex to accept 
 or reject," he gently interposed. 
 
 "Because I don't like bitter things, and besides, your 
 motives are not altogether clear to me. They have not 
 at all times been above suspicion, I am compelled to re- 
 mind you, and I do not intend to bargain for any more 
 bricks of whatsoever kind or character I shall look 
 before I leap, hereafter. Now, then, if you have any 
 definite proposition to make, please to state it plainly. 
 Well, sir what have you to offer?" 
 
 "Only the love of a man only his love and protec- 
 tion"
 
 302 MISTER BILL 
 
 "What!" she exclaimed, increduously. "Do you mean 
 to say that you love me?" a tiny finger unconsciously 
 emphasizing the surprise of its owner. 
 
 "Ah, yes ! That is just what I mean to say," he boldly 
 declared, taking two unresisting hands in his. "Is it 
 really so difficult to understand that a big awkward fel- 
 low " Man! Man! What mean those painful and 
 inarticulate efforts at speech that desperate clutching at 
 throat, at this, of all unfortunate moments? 
 
 "Shall I call for help? Can I do anything to relieve 
 you?" she inquired, with prettily feigned solicitude. 
 "Please, sir, do not distress yourself, because I absolutely 
 refuse to be responsible for the final result if the mere 
 beginning is so painful." 
 
 "Jack's collar!" he managed to articulate. "I sac- 
 rificed comfort and freedom of speech for an unsullied 
 piece of linen. I was fearful that even though you were 
 inclined to accept the man, the collar might hang him." 
 
 "And so you preferred choking to taking any chances ?" 
 
 "Times over." 
 
 "Poor man! Now that you have proved the sacrifice 
 of which you are capable you may remove your collar 
 if you like, or I will get the scissors and amputate it. 
 because, whatever I do, I shall not accept the collar." 
 
 "Is it so difficult to believe that he can possess a deep 
 and abiding love a love as deep and wide and strong 
 as his big awkward self?" he continued, resuming the 
 thread of his declaration, and possession of the little 
 hands. "Do you fear to trust your happiness your life 
 to his keeping? Do you know him too little is it too 
 much to ask ?" 
 
 "Oh, no, no! Not that! I trust you in everything!
 
 "YOU LOVE ME?" 303 
 
 I would believe anything you told me. I would go 
 with you anywhere. I believe I would make any sac- 
 rifice for you only " 
 
 "Only what?" he gently asked, smiling at her con- 
 fusion. "Only what, dear?" 
 
 "Only it is all so very sudden, and there, I have said 
 it after all ! I have vowed and declared come what might, 
 I should never be guilty of stereotyping myself into 
 that form. But you have never by word or look given 
 me any idea that you cared for me, which of course, 
 makes it all very sudden." 
 
 "I plead guilty to the charge, dear you are exon- 
 erated." 
 
 "I could not understand you. You almost never said 
 nice things to me, and when I made pretty speeches to 
 you they just seemed to strike a brick wall and bound 
 back to me. You never seemed to hear, or to care, or 
 to understand, and sometimes I wondered if you were 
 actually stupid in some respects, or just an animated 
 piece of ice. And my! but you were bold at times. 
 Why did you treat me so badly if you really cared for 
 me?" 
 
 "I will tell you why, dear," drawing her nearer to 
 him, "but you must not be angry. To be perfectly 
 plain" 
 
 "And brutal !" she interjected. "Go on !" 
 
 "And brutal," he acquiesced. "I early conceived the 
 idea that the much maligned Wizard and his mistress 
 possessed several characteristics in common. Of course 
 I had not at that time made the acquaintance of the 
 noble animal this is merely an impromptu simile in-
 
 304 MISTER BILL 
 
 spired by after events. I was also warned to beware 
 of you, as you will perhaps remember " 
 
 "Remember ! That wretch of a Jack !" she indignantly 
 exclaimed. "I should say I did ! And yet, on the whole, 
 I think I shall have to forgive Jack. I fancy I am under 
 obligations to the rascal ! But just the same, he needn't 
 have given one something with a string attached, and 
 then attempt to snatch it away need he? Go on you 
 were warned against me." 
 
 "No, dear, Jack did very wrong very wrong indeed. 
 I believe I should pension the rascal for his misdemeanor. 
 However, his timely warning agreed with my own ideas 
 perfectly. I was convinced that ordinary methods would 
 never avail with this particular young woman, and hers 
 was a case requiring heroic treatment. I immediately 
 decided, all or nothing, and if nothing, at least the sat- 
 isfaction of being worsted in a short sharp encounter 
 rather than to suffer the suspense of a long campaign, 
 and possible defeat in the end." 
 
 "And so you just pulled my head around like so and 
 so and so!" she quickly responded, emphasizing the 
 summary treatment he had applied to the unruly Wizard. 
 "And then I trotted along very meekly didn't I? Oh, 
 yes you did and yes I did ! I can see it all now I saw 
 it even then. And yet I think I rather liked it, at least 
 I did not seem to mind so very much, did I Mis-ter 
 Bill?" glancing up at him with pretty consciousness, as 
 she voiced a name to which she had never before given 
 expression. "And when did you first begin to really 
 care whether I behaved well, or balked ?" 
 
 "Ah, dear, as I look back, I think you have never 
 been long absent from my thoughts since first we met,
 
 "YOU LOVE ME?' 305 
 
 that night out in the mountains. You had hardly gone 
 your way before I realized such a sense of loneliness as 
 I had never known before. Your sweet face was ever 
 before me, and your voice seemed repeating over and 
 over again the words you spoke to me. Even the moon 
 seemed to hold your likeness, and many long weary 
 hours have you been my companion on lonesome rides 
 and midnight watches. And sleep many times brought 
 sweet dreams of your companionship; and sometimes 
 Ah, yes, sometimes ! I wished life might be the one long 
 sweet dream of happiness that came to me when my own 
 consciousness took wings and another sweeter and dearer 
 came in its stead." 
 
 "And you really thought of me so much and you 
 knew me so little ?" 
 
 "Out in that lonesome country one is permitted so 
 much time for thought thinking, thinking, ever think- 
 ing. Thoughts are companions, and one chooses as he 
 will." 
 
 "And so you chose me for your companion?" 
 
 "Yes, dear, I chose you every fibre of my being 
 chose you. You have been more to me than you can ever 
 know. You have been the sweet inspiration of my better 
 self a self I never knew until you made me conscious 
 of the wonderful wealth of my possessions." 
 
 "And so I did regenerate you, after all," she said, laugh- 
 ing softly. "And so you just thought and thought, those 
 lonely nights out there in the mountains; just thought 
 of the girl you might never see again a careless friv- 
 olous girl who perhaps had never a thought for you?" 
 
 "Yes, dear, and those were some of the happiest hours 
 I have ever known. In the silence of the night come
 
 3 o6 MISTER BILL 
 
 thoughts we never know by day. Strange moods hold 
 us in their grasp, and beautiful enthralling thoughts flood 
 fast upon us, do we but give them leave to come. So 
 alone, so at one do we seem with nature that we are priv- 
 ileged, with scarce volition of our own, to quaff at her 
 wondrous fount of life and love from which the poor 
 chap off in the mountains may drink his fill, even though 
 he must find his sweetheart in the moon, and confine his 
 love making to the communion of spirit yet all strangely 
 in accord with that vast, wild, weird, wonderful solitude." 
 
 "How beautiful are such thoughts ! And what happi- 
 ness you must derive from your knowledge of things of 
 which so many of us have little or no conception. And 
 what in others might be mere effeminacy, in you, who 
 seem so much a part of that wild and rugged country, 
 is the very breath of truth and life." 
 
 "And did the careless frivolous girl never give even one 
 stray little thought to the man away out there in the 
 mountains in return for the many he gave her?" 
 
 "Ah, dear, how strangely are some things ordered. 
 And what will you say, when I, too, confess that you 
 have been much in my thoughts since that eventful night. 
 Yes, dear, my thoughts have unconsciously turned to 
 you Oh, so many, many times! And perhaps some of 
 those nights an answering thought has gone back to you, 
 and after all, it was a very real girl with whom you held 
 such sweet communion." 
 
 "I am sure of it. One could not give so much without 
 receiving something in return." 
 
 "I have imagined all sorts of strange and wonderful 
 things about you. You interested me not a little in the 
 short time we were thrown together. My curiosity was
 
 "YOU LOVE MEf" 307 
 
 aroused as well that insatiable curiosity of mine!" she 
 laughed. "I think I was just the least little bit afraid 
 of you you seemed such a terribly dangerous man. My ! 
 but you fairly bristled with guns they were strapped all 
 about you. I was mortally afraid one of them might pop 
 off accidentally and set them all going like a bunch of 
 fire-crackers. Where were you going? And what were 
 you going to do? Or were you simply at your regular 
 fighting weight ? Is that the proper term ?" 
 
 "It is as good as another," he laughed. 
 
 "That you were not one of the rough fellows of that 
 wild country was plainly apparent. Your rough clothes 
 failed to hide the evidences of your earlier life and train- 
 ing. Sometime when we become better acquainted per- 
 haps when I have been given legal permission, so that I 
 may be well within my rights and privileges I shall 
 want to know much more about you. Oh! I shall want 
 to know heaps and heaps of things I give you fair 
 warning." 
 
 "Very well, dear, when you are properly privileged you 
 shall know all." 
 
 "And those times when I was so much in your 
 thoughts, did you really expect to see me again," she 
 asked him, graciously ignoring a very mean speech. 
 
 "At times I would take myself severely to task and 
 declare that such nonsense had gone far enough ; that 
 such thoughts were worse than useless, but all to no last- 
 ing purpose. Yet another thought, nourished without 
 volition of my own even against my better judgment 
 told me that we should meet again, and had I followed 
 my first impulse when you entered this room on the night 
 of our second meeting, I should have taken you in my
 
 3o8 MISTER BILL 
 
 arms and told you that I had found you at last in the 
 joy and gladness that surged into my heart. And times 
 since, when perhaps you have thought me coldest, I 
 have been obliged to exert all my self-control to refrain 
 from telling you what was in my heart, but I feared 
 that I should only amuse you for the moment, and in the 
 end be cast out of your life." 
 
 "I cannot recall reciprocating just such a wild desire 
 on the occasion of our' second meeting, yet you seemed 
 not in the least a stranger to me, and I could no more 
 help trotting down those stairs and talking to you than I 
 can help loving you now, and I guess if the truth were 
 known, my desire was not greater to refrain from one 
 than the other." 
 
 "And when did you begin to think it might be de- 
 sirable to refrain from one or the other the other, for 
 instance ?" 
 
 "When you coolly and I think rather impudently, sir 
 informed me that I was all right in my way s^uch con- 
 descension but gave me to understand, no, you told me 
 just that you did not even permit yourself the civility 
 of leaving the inference to me that the particular way 
 was none of yours, I think well, I think I loved you 
 from that moment. My desire, however, to take your 
 head off was considerably greater at that particular time, 
 and perhaps you think I would not have taken fiendish 
 delight in doing just that, even though I knew my heart 
 would pay the reckoning." 
 
 "And all the while I was blissfully unconscious of the 
 fate I had so narrowly escaped." 
 
 "You were wise, sir, to keep out of my clutches for a 
 time you reckoned well. You shall pay dearly for
 
 "YOU LOVE ME?" 309 
 
 your bad behavior ! Just think of the years and years you 
 will be compelled to do penance, because you are too 
 mean to die, and I won't, just for spite. Moreover, I'll 
 take solemn oath never to give you cause for divorce, 
 but just make you endure to the bitter end. Now, sir, 
 do you realize the punishment in store for you ?" 
 
 "What a terribly vindictive little creature you are, to 
 be sure, when all the while your welfare was my chief 
 concern simply protecting you against yourself, and 
 providing you with a husband most expeditiously. Had 
 you been permitted to make the pace, I should even now 
 be trailing along somewhere perhaps in the next coun- 
 ty a creature of circumstances and woman's wiles." 
 
 "Oh, yes, to be sure! It is very comforting to know 
 after it is all over that a man had very considerately 
 selected himself for one's husband, and if one was so fool- 
 ish as to be miserable the while, there was really no 
 necessity because the man knew all about it and what 
 was best for the woman. But just the same, I have 
 missed something. You might have let me know you 
 cared just the littlest bit, and then " 
 
 "You know now, dear, all about it, and we have years 
 and years in which to make amends for the few short 
 days" 
 
 "But don't you see it's not quite the same. There's 
 the delicious uncertainty of something quite certain. You 
 know, yet you don't know, and you just live on th<5se 
 days and minutes there just can't be anything to take 
 their place. It's like the first kiss when it's gone, it's 
 gone. There may be others, and perhaps very much 
 better, mind you, but none quite the same." 
 
 "Yes, dear the first kiss."
 
 CHAPTER XXXI! 
 THE LAW THAT RULES THE UNIVERSE 
 
 AND so you waited until I had been despoiled 
 of my possessions, and then offered your- 
 self as my protector? Ah dear but that was 
 good of you !" 
 
 "Yes yes !" he acquiesced, somewhat doubtfully. "You 
 see" 
 
 "Yes, dear, I know," she gently interposed. "You are 
 rich in yourself, and that to me, is greater than all else." 
 
 "What optimists love makes of us how generous we 
 become under its magic spell," he said, with fond ap- 
 proval. 
 
 "And how we trust our better selves when love is the 
 guiding power ! Would that all the world might love " 
 
 "As we do?" he gently supplied. 
 
 "Yes, dear, as we do. It would not be in my power to 
 wish the world a greater happiness." 
 
 "And now, about the future. How would you like a 
 modest little cottage down here by the sea? Jack and 
 Maude will be getting married one of these days, and 
 then we shall all be here together." 
 
 "That will be lovely ! I shall be glad to get away from 
 the tumult of the city and enjoy a little rest and quiet. 
 I am content to share your life as you make it. Without 
 you, life would be but a passive existence. You have 
 
 310
 
 THE LAW THAT RULES 311 
 
 spoiled me for anything of which you are not a part the 
 greater part." 
 
 "Excuse me for living!" exclaimed Jack, turning ab- 
 ruptly to quit the room into which he had rushed with 
 his usual impetuosity. 
 
 "Come back, Jack !" said Waldron. "You may as well 
 be made aware of the complications for which you are in 
 no small measure responsible." 
 
 "Beg pardon, sir!" offering a mock salute. "I forgot 
 to ring my bell, and my light was out. I came in to tell 
 Cathy that Mr. Lowe is here, and wishes to see her on 
 very important business." 
 
 "And her troubles still pursue her!" she sighed. "I 
 fancied I had evaded them for a time I believe I had 
 quite forgotten them. Tell the gentleman that I am en- 
 gageddoubly engaged," she laughed, glancing shyly up 
 at the man by her side. "Say that I will see him to- 
 morrow next week any time but the present. I have 
 lost all my money, Jack, but misfortune has brought me 
 a fairly eommendable substitute. It is a very ill wind 
 that blows no good even if it be only a man. We are 
 going to live down here, and perhaps have a cottage be- 
 side you and Maude. We shall be very modest as be- 
 comes sensible people " 
 
 Her confidence was rudely interrupted by an outburst 
 of merriment on the part of the young man who was 
 quick to grasp the true state of affairs. "What do you 
 mean, Jack Winston ?" she indignantly demanded. "What 
 do you mean by such " 
 
 "All right, Cathy, I'll tell the gentleman that this is 
 your busy day. Love in a cottage Oh, me ! That's too
 
 312 MISTER BILL 
 
 good !" he laughed, discreetly taking himself away from 
 the displeasure he had incurred. 
 
 "What does he mean?" she demanded of the man of 
 her choice. 
 
 "You are certainly entitled to an explanation," he 
 gravely assured her. 
 
 "That young man evidently looks upon something as 
 a huge joke. I am sure I don't see anything so remark- 
 ably strange, or so excruciatingly funny as to occasion 
 such unseemly mirth, do you ?" 
 
 "I see no cause for undue hilarity." 
 
 "Because if there is, I am missing something, and I 
 object to things being passed over my head." 
 
 "Perhaps he was overcome by the prospective happi- 
 ness of your suggestion," said the same unscrupulous 
 man. 
 
 "He impressed me as only a little less than hysterical. 
 I hope he is not contemplating another attack, because 
 everything seems to point to me as the one responsible 
 whatever it is I am responsible for." 
 
 "Pardon me again," said Jack, returning to the room, 
 with difficulty, composing his features. "The gentleman 
 insists that his business is far too important to be de- 
 ferred, and bids me make another and more urgent appeal 
 to your ladyship to grant him but a moment of your 
 precious time. I trust I am happy in my efforts." But 
 his efforts were suddenly directed along entirely different 
 lines as a feminine hand laid hold of a convenient book, 
 and he sought refuge behind the nearest obstacle, which 
 chanced to be the other man. "Please note the tender 
 object in front before hurling anything carelessly in this 
 direction," he admonished, with exasperating coolness.
 
 THE LAW THAT RULES 313 
 
 "Very well, I will see the gentleman and I will see 
 you later, young man !" he was very positively informed, 
 as she passed out of the room. 
 
 Jack congratulated Waldron with characteristic frank- 
 ness upon what he was pleased to term his good fortune, 
 and insisted that he had hoped for this same result from 
 the first. "There is only one Cathy and one Maude," he 
 declared, with great satisfaction, "and we have cornered 
 them both. All we require now are the cottages side 
 by side," which he seemed to regard as a huge joke. 
 
 "Well, I am only a little more confused than before, as 
 the result of my interview with the gentleman," Cathalee 
 announced, upon her return a few minutes later. "Every- 
 body seems to radiate mysteries, and so far as I am able 
 to discover I am the bright and particular luminary 
 around which they revolve. I am really at a loss to 
 understand whether I am an object of pity, a joke or just 
 what part I am supposed to be playing." 
 
 "What light did this particular gentleman throw upon 
 the situation?" Waldron inquired. 
 
 "To begin and end with, sir, he said that you are a 
 scoundrel a particularly bad kind. His expression 
 seemed to me a trifle informal rather more expressive 
 than polite. Oh, he said it!" she insisted. "He said, 
 furthermore, that you were the cause of all the trouble ; 
 that you have practically all my money, considerable of 
 his, and a lot of Mr. Burrows' and Mr. Morrison's. All 
 in all, you have behaved very badly, I am led to infer. 
 He said, too and if you please bear witness, this to me 
 is the touching part that I had better look out for you ; 
 that no good could come from harboring such a rascal." 
 
 "Cheerful intelligence concerning the man to whom
 
 314 MISTER BILL 
 
 one has but just linked her destiny," he told her, with 
 commendable commiseration. 
 
 "However, in justice to you because you were not 
 there, and to myself because I was, I informed the 
 gentleman that he was speaking of my affianced husband. 
 The poor man nearly collapsed ; but whether from em- 
 barrassment, or sympathy for me I was not able to de- 
 termine." 
 
 "He was in duty bound to warn you your worldly 
 interests had been committed to his keeping," he felt 
 compelled to remind her. 
 
 "I also informed the gentleman that you were even 
 then in the house," she continued, ignoring a very ques- 
 tionable remark, "and suggested that he would do well to 
 express his sentiments to you, personally, as I was sure 
 that you could appreciate their particular application far 
 better than I could possibly manage. He said that he 
 had had one interview with you today, and I fancied he 
 seemed rather fearful that another might be forced upon 
 him as he immediately decided that my business could 
 wait until tomorrow, and hastily took his departure." 
 
 "I fear my efforts went for naught, after all," sighed 
 Jack. 
 
 "Now do you mind telling me what it is all about?" 
 said Cathalee, curiously regarding first one and then the 
 other of the men. "What sort of a man have I really 
 bargained for? Is he rich man, poor man, beggar man, 
 or what Mr. Lowe said? Not that it makes any differ- 
 ence to me whatever a mere matter of curiosity on my 
 part. The man cannot possibly prove an alibi, and I am 
 willing to put up with the limit in either direction. I 
 can stagger under a load of riches, while my talents in
 
 THE LAW THAT RULES 315 
 
 the begging line amount to little short of genius. What 
 do you mean, sir, by such carryings on ?" she indignantly 
 demanded, turning suddenly upon Jack, who was no less 
 amused by her piquant comments than by the general 
 situation. "You have more joy than you can properly 
 manage, Jack Winston, and I advise you to dispense a 
 small portion and permit others a slight indulgence 
 you will surely do yourself harm." 
 
 "What do I mean ?" he cried, with difficulty controlling 
 his mirth, "I mean it means that you have drawn the 
 capital prize in the matrimonial lottery! Love in a cot- 
 tage ! Ha ! Ha ! Why, Cathy, your prospective husband 
 owns a gold mine that requires a whole railroad to carry 
 off the gold; and I own part of the railroad don't I, 
 Mister Bill?" 
 
 "Exter! Exter!" piped a shrill small voice. "Latest 
 'dition evenin' pipers !" and a young miss arrayed in her 
 brother's coat, his cap drawn recklessly over one eye, 
 and his collection of papers under her arm romped upon 
 the scene. "Exter! Exter! Full 'count of de terryble 
 corner in bears tousands of lives lost no, dollars tou- 
 sands of dollars made and lost! Piper, miss?" handing 
 Cathalee a paper, "Piper, sir ?" handing Waldron another, 
 "Piper, sonny?" 
 
 "Get out of that coat, Kid!" indignantly ordered big 
 brother, starting in hot pursuit of the fleeing "kid," who 
 required no second admonition to place a safe distance 
 between herself and the lordly owner of that new coat 
 which was assuredly not designed as a plaything for 
 little sisters. 
 
 "I could manage the scoundrel part, and even Mr. 
 Lowe's qualifying phrase, but the picture is simply tram-
 
 316 MISTER BILL 
 
 pling one's good nature under foot," said Cathalee, shak- 
 ing her pretty head in disapproval of the supposed like- 
 ness of her prospective lord and master, as she rapidly 
 scanned the large head-lines which told her more of the 
 man to whom she had given herself than she had known 
 before. "Ah, dear!" she said, looking up into eyes 
 watching her with amused interest, "shall I ever know 
 you? I wonder if I ever shall? You will always be 
 to me like some great and wonderful book, one may 
 read over and over, ever finding something new." 
 
 "I hope so, dear." 
 
 "And shall I ever feel that I have cut all the pages, 
 and read each line or having read, that I understand ?" 
 
 "I hope you may never find the story old, and when 
 you have committed it all to heart, may it still be the 
 sweetest story ever told." 
 
 "Ah, dear! I know you so little and yet so well," 
 she softly sighed, looking up at him with eyes of love. 
 
 "You certainly took the man for better or for worse 
 the accessories were merely side issues," he was com- 
 pelled to admit. 
 
 "And to think that I insisted upon your being a poor 
 man despite yourself and how you permitted me to 
 have my own way," she laughed, just a little reproach- 
 fully. "And is it really true that you have all my 
 money ?" 
 
 "That I cannot say but very likely." 
 
 "What an unscrupulous man you are, to be sure ! And 
 did you think by depriving me of my means of sustenance 
 to make me perfectly helpless, and simply compel me to 
 accept the first man who chanced to offer himself? To 
 think had you not happened to be the man! However,
 
 THE LAW THAT RULES 317 
 
 I am glad it is all in the family, because now I can go 
 on with the Work that I had planned, and with your as- 
 sistance my poor efforts will no longer be make-believe." 
 
 "Yes, dear we will work out our regeneration to- 
 gether." 
 
 "I want you to do something for me this very minute 
 Oh, you will find me very terrible ! There are no end 
 of things I shall want. Jack and Maude I want you 
 to do something for Jack." 
 
 "I have already arranged for that young man's future, 
 my dear. Who else would you like to provide for? 
 What about yourself?" 
 
 "Oh, you will provide for me! You cannot well do 
 less, you know, after taking away my worldly posses- 
 sions." 
 
 "True. I must not fail in my duty now that I have 
 you so completely in my power." 
 
 "Even were we entirely dependent upon the work 
 those big strong hands could do, I would trust myself 
 to their keeping, and to the great big heart that beats 
 in there," a little hand indicating the location of that 
 organ, "and consider myself privileged beyond my just 
 deserts. And I fear yes, dear, I fear I would make 
 any sacrifice " 
 
 "Ah, little one!" he gently interposed, folding her in 
 his big strong arms, and looking into eyes suffused with 
 tears of love and happiness, "I would not, in justice to 
 you, ask you to make even one little sacrifice of which 
 your woman's heart did not approve. No lasting hap- 
 piness could come through sacrifices that silenced even 
 so much as one little protesting voice of your true and 
 honest self. Sometime I would be compelled to answer
 
 318 MISTER BILL 
 
 that same little accusing voice that had only been lulled 
 to quiet for a little while, and in just the proportion 
 that you were made to suffer, would you all uncon- 
 sciously, perhaps hold me responsible, and your love 
 wane. That would be but the beginning of the end, 
 finally leaving us destitute of the love we now think we 
 possess for all time, and of which we fondly imagine no 
 power can deprive us." 
 
 "Yes, dear, you are right you would even protect me 
 from myself. And yet, knowing you are right, I would 
 make the sacrifices just the same. Women do not reason 
 like men, which perhaps is well. We cannot reason 
 against the dictates of our hearts. We love we trust 
 we give our all in the simple faith that though all the 
 world be false, one man will be true to his trust. We live 
 in the present, content with what each day holds for us. 
 We cannot understand that our love today may be 
 scorned tomorrow, our very sacrifices our own undoing, 
 which may return to us in bitterness of scorn and re- 
 proach. Then comes the day of reckoning with our inner 
 selves. Then do our souls demand expiation. Then do 
 we drink such bitter dregs of misery as man can never 
 know, for even so much as we are willing to sacrifice 
 more than he, is he unconscious and careless of the 
 weight of woe .he casts upon her whom he has pledged 
 himself to love, honor and protect yet knowing, we 
 are not proof against ourselves. What is it ? Why is it ?" 
 
 "It is the violation of the law of love the law that 
 rules the universe," he said, with simple faith. 
 
 "Ah, yes!" she softly sighed, "the law that rules the 
 universe! How we transgress it! How little we under- 
 stand and appreciate the most precious of our possessions !
 
 THE LAW THAT RULES 319 
 
 The shallowness, the emptiness of the great world, if no 
 fond heart answers to the yearnings of your own ! How 
 cold, how callous, if it holds not one dearer than all oth- 
 ers ! Nothing can take its place no substitute ever known. 
 Riches and station are but hollow mockeries, intoxicating 
 for the moment, and leaving only the anomaly of a man or 
 woman who thinks to find the consummation of life's 
 purpose in the artificialties of the grea* world. Ah, dear, 
 it is all well lost if one but gains the love that is true."
 
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