ival of a party of Atlantic and Pacific officials and directors, who were to inspect the Torso and Northern, with a view to its purchase and absorption.

est in the Torso and Northern at that time, and Lane forgot the matter until he noticed that there was a market for Torso and Northern equipment bonds, which before had been unsalable at twenty.

recognizing the bond. But Tom Darnell was so interesting, his wife urged, and she was presentable. And the Falkners? There was no special reason for having them, but Isabelle thought it might be a good thing for Rob to meet some influential people, and Bessie would surely amuse the men. Isabe

it, and the Senator will

cro

wife knew the world better than he,-though he would hav

eveloped," "would tap new fields,-good feeder," etc., etc. Lane thought pleasantly of the twenty equipment bonds in his safe, which would be redeemed by the Atlantic and Pacific at par and accrued interest, and he resolved to secure another block, if they were to be had, before the sale was

-and bunches of heavy, thick-stemmed roses filled the vases. A large silver tray of decanters and cocktails was placed in the hall beside the blazing fire. The Senator had already posses

ted to his compliments. "We eat with knives and forks, silve

competent wife. She was vivaciously awake, and seemed to have forgotten her girlish repugnance to the amorous Senator. As she stood by the drawing-room door receiving her guests, he felt how much superior to all the

king like a blond Cleopatra. She's married a bright fellow, and she'll be the making of him.

he was looking very fresh in a gown that she and Isabelle's seamstress had contrived, and she smiled up into the Senator's face with her blandest child-manner. The Senator, wh

r marriage. It was too barbarically laden to be really beautiful; but it was in the best prevailing taste of the time, and to Lane, who never regarded such matters attentively, "was as good as the best." Looking down the long tabl

rk families kept them, but that could hardly be expected in Torso. The dinner was excellent, as the hungry visitors testified, and they seemed to find the women agreeable and the whole affair unexpectedly cosmopolitan, which was pleasing after spending a long week in a car, examining terminals and coal properties. Indeed, it was very much the same dinner that was being served at about that hour in thousands of well-to-do houses t

e Lanes nor any of their guests, however, felt this lack of distinction, this sameness, in the entertainment provided for them. They had the comfortable feeling of being in a

ing Darnell, who was talking rather loudly, trying to capture the Senator's attention from Bessie. Across the table Mrs. Darnell, still the striking dark-haired schoolgirl,

ce, "it is not scum like the assassin of t

anarchistic refuse of Europe," the Senator insisted. "Congress m

emptied his champagne glass frequently, and there was a reckles

like that murderer. We have prisons and asylums enough for them. What the country needs is legislation against its honor

da over the table, there could not h

nell," Lane began; but the Kent

ists. I tell you this land is full of discontent,-men hating dishonesty, privi

out believers in the gospel of prosperity, all sharers

t and good man," the Senator obser

e Kentuckian. "With his connivance, a Mark Hanna has forged the worst industrial tyrann

ion lawyer!" Lane remarked, a

ration hireling," Darne

s. Adams's eyes glowed,

y resignatio

one suggested. "You won't find much enthusia

Kentuckian raised his head as if to retort,

or such a discussion. I was carried away by my fe

tered matters, and Isabe

lways interesting

of our President," the Senator said severely. "I had the privilege of knowing our late P

never been so prosperous as during the McKinley-Hanna regime,-wages at the high level, exports increasing, crops abundant. What any hon

ssie confessed to Isabelle that she had been positively frightened lest the Kentuckian would do "something awful,"-he had been drinking, she thought. But Darnell remained silent for the brief time before the ladies left the room, merely once raising his eyes apologetically to Isabelle with his wine-glass at his lips, murmuring so that she alone could h

ce singing a French song to Isabella's accompaniment attracted them. After the next song the visitors went, their car being due to leave

much charm stay

n before the fire for another cigar, Isabelle drew her ch

he said e

They liked it, I am su

ll

had said, and this time Lane did not repel the idea of their moving to wider fields. He had made a good imp

turn up before

nt hostess, and she liked to further his interests by giving pleasant dinners, in an attractive gown, and receiving the admiration of cleve

. "If he can't hold on to himself any bett

w that he ha

se for him. He's headed the wrong way;" and he added with hardly a pause, "I

t this was the man's p

come. It would have been a good thing

of commanding the right sort t

on people," Lane remarked. "Perha

ble to "get on" with people, to interest them, and keep them aware of one

d, John?" his wife asked as

g-every way-all but Darnell's ro

. Lane's last conscious thought was a jumble of equipment bonds, and the idea of