“You are such a perfectly capable person, Miss Clayton,” he said. “I believe you have a better grasp on details here than almost anybody else. Of course, Mr. Mayberry and I ought to know fully as much as you do; but the other day you proved that we did not,” and he laughed. “That Bogata matter, you remember. We had overlooked the very point which we should have remembered. You did not overlook it. Therefore----You see? “That is exactly what I mean. Jim is all right. He has a grasp of the mechanical part of the business. But you must run the office end, more or less----” “But, Mr. Barton! you are not going to remain away for long, are you?” she interposed. “I cannot say, Miss Clayton,” he returned gravely. “We none of us know what this war may amount to. I only know that I can be of some help if the war continues; and with my experience in the Guard I should be preparing to give my country all the help in my power if I am called on. I am leaving for the training camp at Lake Quehasset this evening.” She could not suppress a murmur, and the pallor of her cheek was marked, but he noticed neither. “The exemption board allowed my claim of business need. But I am promised to the service if the business here can get along without me. The time has now come to try it,” and he laughed a little whimsically. “You know, a dead man is seldom missed, no matter how important his place in life seems to be. After a little somebody is found to fill his shoes. I fancy it will not be so hard, Miss Clayton, to fill mine. “I am depending on Mr. Mayberry and you, Miss Clayton, to keep the stockholders of the company satisfied that I can be spared. We have some months’ training in camp in any case. I have felt the call from ‘over there’ for a long time. I own frankly,” he added, his voice vibrant with emotion, “that had I been free, I should not have waited for our Government to declare war before getting into the scrimmage. “But never mind that! I was held here. You know something of the circumstances we faced two years ago when I took hold. Now we seem to have got out of the mire. We’re standing on firm ground. With ordinary care everything should go smoothly with the Hapwood-Diller Company. Can I depend on you to do your part, Miss Clayton?” “Oh, yes, Mr. Barton! I will! I will!” cried the girl with clasped hands, but looking away from him. “Fine! Help Mr. Mayberry all you can. He’s rather brusk, perhaps, but he knows the business. Still---- “I’ve one favor to ask of you, Miss Clayton. It is important, and it is particular. I want you to write to me.” She looked at him then. But there was nothing in his serious face to warrant the slight flush that came into her cheeks. “I’d like to have you write me about once a week. Consult nobody as to what you write, but just detail as briefly as you please matters as they occur--business matters and whatever you may think will give me a correct impression of the situation of affairs in the factory and the office.