“I like to hear you talk like that--it reminds me of what I have been in business. No difficulty was too great for me to attack and conquer. But this terrible summer, was its like ever known? Firms in which I had the most implicit confidence have gone under, and each one dragged me lower, until this last demand finishes all. Your intentions are good, John, but unless you are a wizard and can make fifty thousand dollars grow on a tree, I see no escape”--sadly, still patting the hand that rests on his. John smiles, and Aleck groans--groans because he has been able to peep behind the scenes and see what dénouements are in store. It is just as though he has read the concluding chapter of the novel first, and knows all the while, no matter how ardent the love scenes, that Edmond never marries Juliet, who dies before the happy consummation of their vows; and having this previous knowledge, he cannot take the interest in the thrilling scenes that would naturally be expected. “Father, you forget I am no longer a boy--that I have spent years in the West, where fortunes are made and lost even more rapidly than in Chicago. If fifty thousand dollars will be of use to you----” “John--reflect, boy!” “I can put it at your service, sir.” “Good God! don’t arouse any false hopes, my dear boy--a second shock would kill me,” says the old speculator, struggling out of his chair and standing there with one clenched hand upon the library table, a picture of intense, strained eagerness. Every eye is glued upon the face of the man from Denver, who smiles in a way that is reassuring. “I am making sure of what I say, sir, and I repeat it. Circumstances enable me to offer you the amount you need. Will you accept?” “Now--do you mean at once?” asks his father. “At any time. I can get you the money as soon as business opens in the morning. It can be wired on to this man in plenty of time to secure you the deciding share.” “Dorothy, are you there, child?” “Yes, yes, father. What can I do for you,” flying to his side so eagerly. “Pinch me, my dear.” “Oh, father! what can you mean--are you losing your mind?” she cries, aghast. “No, no; but it seems too good to be true; I must be dreaming. So pinch me and I can tell by the pain if I am asleep or awake. If this be a dream, I hope I may never arouse.” She playfully complies with his request, and the manipulator of wheat utters an exclamation. “There, there, child, that is quite sufficient. I know now it is a reality,” rubbing his arm vigorously, and then adding; “but, John, my boy, you understand me--this money I will only accept as a loan at ten per cent., unless you would rather go into this business with me. The street is so terribly dull that I have decided to branch out as manager in a great concern. That can be settled later on, however. It would please me to have my son associated with me. This shock to-night has taught me that my nerves are not so much like steel as they once were.”