Marsh's first look of challenge now changed to one of the liveliest interest, and Boyd imagined the fellow endeavoring to link him, through the affair at the restaurant, with the presence of Big George in Chicago. Although the full significance of the meeting had not struck the young lover yet, upon the heels of his first surprise came the realization that this man was to be not only his rival in love, but the greatest menace to the success of his venture--that venture which meant the world to him. "Yes," he answered, cautiously, "I am a typical Alaskan--disappointed, but not discouraged." "What business?" "Mining!" "Oh!" indifferently. Marsh addressed himself to Mr. Wayland: "I told you the commercial opportunities in that country were far greater than those in the mining business. All miners have the same story." Sensing the slight in his tone, rather than in his words, Mildred hastened to the defence of her fiance, nearly causing disaster thereby. "Boyd has something far better than mining now. He was telling me about it as--" "You interrupted us," interjected Emerson, panic stricken. "I didn't have time to explain the nature of my enterprise." The girl was about to put in a disclaimer, when he flashed a look at her which she could not help but heed. "I am very stupid about such things," she offered, easily. "I would not have understood it, I am sure." To her father, she continued, leaving what she felt to be dangerous ground: "I didn't look for you so early." "We finished sooner than I expected," Mr. Wayland answered, "so I drove Willis to his hotel and waited for him to dress. I was afraid he might disappoint us if I let him out of my sight. I couldn't allow that--not to-night of all nights, eh?" The magnate laughed knowingly at Marsh. "I have never yet disappointed Miss Wayland, and I never shall," the new-comer replied, eying the girl in such a way that Boyd felt a sudden desire to choke him until his smooth, expressionless face matched the color of his evening coat. "I can imagine your daughter's feminine guests staying away, Mr. Wayland, but her masculine friends, never!" "What rot!" thought Emerson. "Well, I couldn't take any chances to-night," the father reasserted, "for this is a celebration. I will tell Hawkins to open a bottle of that Private Cuvee, '86." "What machinations have you precious conspirators been at now?" queried Mildred. "My dear, I have effected a wonderful deal to-day," said her father. "With the help of Mr. Marsh, I closed the last details of a consolidation which has occupied me for many months." "Another trust, I suppose." "Certain people might call it that," chuckled the old man. "Willis was the inspiring genius, and did most of the work; the credit is his." "Not at all! Not at all!" disclaimed the modest Marsh. "I was but a child in your father's hands, Miss Wayland. He has given me a liberal education in finance." "It was a beautiful affair, eh?" questioned the magnate. "Wonderful."