The citizen., 1914-09-25
CHAPTER vIl-continued.

Brand sent the car ahead at a faster
clip. Mrs. Collins, seated in the rear
OF the deep tonneau, and occupied
chiefly in retaining possession of her
ponderous headpiece, had no oppor-
tunity to join in or even hear the con-
Versation of the two in front. The
millionaire glanced back and smiled.
There was clear stretch of road
ahead. He turned to Jane.
Now, Mrs. Reynolds" he began,
let's get down to business. You heard
our talk about the dam and the
money!"
Every word Of it."
And you believe everything said
because it's true, isn't it,"
i know it's true"
Good. Here's the idea. We've got
to make Bob take this money. Your
part of the job Is to bring him to his
senses and my part of it is to hand
over the cash. Now, there's no hurry.
It's going to take long time to build
this dam. You've got six weeks be-
fore we deliver the first order. II
you're as smart as Mrs Brand and as
sensible as think you are, you'll move
out of that little bungalow back there
before the six weeks are over All
you have to do is to guide him-grad-
ually, but firmly. And will help you
If you say the word, we'll form little
company right here, and as a working
member of the company you will be
entitled to some remuneration. This
Is merely fair business view of it.
While my chief motive in coming to
Bob was to help him out of the rut,
I'm not trying to conceal the fact that
his gain is also my company's gain. If
you become a party to this plan to
make him listen to reason, you are en-
titled to some reward whether we are
successful or not, and so, Mrs. Rey-
nolds, I'm going to sort O. put you on
the payroll. Well give Bob little
glimpse of few comforts without let
ting him know anything about it.
Jane laughed, but she blushed in
spite of herself. Brands words were
very clear and the prospects they pre-
saged very alluring. Inwardly, how
ever, she had grave doubts about the
propriety Of accepting money from a
man who was almost stranger, even
if it were for services rendered. But
she made no avowal of refusal. The
speeding auto, the immediate exhilara-
tion, the thought Of qualification of
few desires and escape from her impe-
cunious plight stirred up the bacteria
of self-indulgence that had awakened
and spread poison throughout the
whole structure of her character.
Brand watched her; he read the men,
tai struggle and he struck home.
why, If you think it isn't right for
you to accept any reward, just regard
it in the nature Of an advance We
are sure to succeed and then when you
have the forty thousand, you can reim-
hurse me, If you want, for the few ia
vors extended now. Well have that
understanding"
Forty thousand dollars! Forty thou
sand dollars! Forty thousand. The
figures ran in wild frolic through her
brain and danced before her eyes. The
bill boards, as they flashed past, were
emblazoned with them. She looked
ahead and, rows Of figures were
stretched across the road. The car ran
through them and over them, but
everywhere they sprang up and leered
and beckoned. Forty thousand dol
larsi And she hadn't had forty dollars
of her own in six months. Well, she
wasn't going to be fool any longer.
Brand knew the way. His way would
be her way. She turned to him
quickly.
I'll do anything that you think best
to make Bob understand" she said.
"Fine!" he exclaimed. Now can
see the battle won."
They rode on In silence for several
minutes. At length. Jane said:
"But l don't feel entirely comfort
able about 1t yet. I'm even worrying
about this auto ride-the fact that
I'm doing something without Bob's
knowledge. He Is 80 good to me and
SO willing to do everything he can, or
thinks he can. that occasionally feel
that ought to be content; content to
share whatever he does, or has. or
plans. But, then. just can't, that's
all. II wasn't sure that was work
ing for him, helping him where he
won't help himself. l would despise
myself. But | am halning him. |