And chat they did, those two powerful, public-spirited ones, over their cigars, of the questions of the day, handled as only masters of commerce could handle them; until at length--this from Mr. Bigelow, lighting a fresh cigar and speaking casually over his hollowed hands: “By the way, Murray, I have a cousin who is in a bad way--husband dead, and some children, and that sort of thing. I want to do a little something for her if I can. Could you give her any work?” “I'm afraid the best place I could offer would be behind the counter in my North Side store at three dollars a week or so.” “She'd be grateful for anything. It's a matter of keeping alive.” Mr. Murray was always glad of an opportunity to oblige Mr. Bigelow. “Send her around, with a letter, and I will do the best I can for her.” And thus did Mr. Bigelow free himself from an entangling alliance. He had now given the woman an opportunity to prove her worth; if after this she should stumble into dark ways, there would be only herself to blame. It had cost him considerable effort, to say nothing of his time; but had it not been worth while? CHAPTER II--Low Life Dear Mr. Halloran: Won't you come down to the Settlement Friday evening? The young men's class and the girls' class are going to entertain themselves, and Mr. Appleton Le Duc has promised to help them. I want to have another talk with you about George. We have heard nothing from him for a week, and I am afraid he is in trouble. After such encouragement as he has given us I don't like to let go of him. “Be sure to come if you can. “Very sincerely yours, “Margaret Davies.” The above note accounts for the presence of Halloran and Le Duc (he of the nimble legs) in a suburban train, on that Friday evening, bound for Clybourn and the Settlement. A few seats behind them sat Miss Davies, escorted by Mr. Babcock, a young business man who seemed to be going in heartily for charity work at this time. Le Duc was talking earnestly with Halloran. Apparently a momentous question had arisen in his life, and the young man beside him, who had had plenty of experience in earning his own living, who could steer a life-boat in a boiling sea, whose generalship alone, it was conceded by one party in college, had won the Chicago game that fall, was, he felt sure, the best counselor to be found in the difficult task of guiding a life straight toward its destiny.