"Yes, the very first thing you did was to lose your temper. Now people who always lose their temper will never make a lot of money, and you admit that that is a great necessity--I mean now--to you----" Turning on his heel, Madison picked up a newspaper and slammed it down angrily on a seat. "I can't stand for the brutal way you talk!" Leaning on the balustrade and looking into the dark depths below, he lapsed into a sullen silence. Brockton approached him. "But you've got to stand it," he said. "The truth is never gentle. Most conditions in life are unpleasant, and if you want to meet them squarely, you have got to realize the unpleasant point of view. That's the only way you can fight them and win!" Madison turned around. The rage was gone out of his eyes, and his voice had regained its equanimity. Decisively he said: "I believe Laura means what she says, in spite of all you say and the disagreeable logic of it. I think she loves me. If she should ever want to go back to the old way of getting along, I think she'd tell me so. So you see, Brockton, all your talk is wasted, and we'll drop the subject." Crossing to the other side of the terrace, he dropped into a chair, and lit another cigar. Brockton followed him. "And if she should ever go back and come to me," said the broker slowly and impressively, "I am going to insist that she let you know all about it. It'll be hard enough to lose her, caring for her the way you do, but it would hurt a lot more to be double crossed----" Madison laughed scornfully. "That's very kind. Thanks!" "Don't get sore," said Brockton. "It's common sense, and it goes, does it not?" "Just what goes?" demanded the journalist, turning sharply. Brockton eyed him gravely for a second or two; then he said slowly: "If she leaves you first, you are to tell me, and if she comes to me, I'll make her let you know just when and why----" A fierce flame again blazed out from the big fellow's eyes. He half started from his chair, and he flung his fist out threateningly. "Look out!" he cried. "I said 'common sense,'" rejoined Brockton quietly. "All right," replied his rival, more calmly. "Agreed?" demanded the broker. "You're on," muttered Madison. CHAPTER IX.