Table of

tional Machine Company, chewing upon an unlighted cigar and occasionally running his fingers throug

"Ask Mr. Bince if he will be good enough to step in here a moment, please," said Compton; and a moment la

month in the history of this organization than last month, and yet our profits are not commensurate with the volume of business that we did. That's the reason I sen

ce. "The same holds true of everybody else. Every manu

dvanced our prices correspondingly. In some instances it seems to me that our advance in prices, particularly on our sp

feel even more inclined to let you shoulder the responsibilities that I have carried alone from the inception of this organization. But I've got to be mighty sure that you are going to do at least as well as I did.

one who will take his place and carry on his work when he is ready to lay aside his tools. I liked your father, Harold. He was one of the best friends that I ever had, and I can tell you now what I c

h guessed what was in

she was younger we used to talk about it half jokingly and shortly after you told me of your engagement sh

n profits after I go, but that will be some time. I am far from being an old man, and I am a mighty healthy one. However, I should like to be relieved o

as possible, that I may turn over the entire management to you

of the younger man narrowed just a trifle as they rested upon Mason C

a short time. I think I have reached a point now where I pretty thoroughly grasp the possibilities and requirements of

ing fault with anything you have done. I just wanted to call your attention to these

mmediately before any summons to enter had been given, and

out so early? And Harriet too! There is only one

that?" ask

ping, and Elizabeth

a regular Sherlock Holmes!

ompton of his daugh

" asked Elizabeth.

e. "Get her what she n

an started

id; "we will go out to the cashi

's office, which a

uch do you want? I'll get it for you and bring it b

wanted, and he was back

ut I believe that he is failing rapidly, largely from overwork. He worries about conditions here which really do not exist. I have be

you suppose you could persuade him to take a trip? I know that he wants to travel. He has told me so several times, and if he could get away from here this fall and stay away for a year, if possible, it woul

is nothing the matter with father! He was

ervous breakdown. Your father is not an old man in years, but he has placed a constant surtax on his nervous system for the last twenty-five years without a let-up, and it does

, the changing expression of it, which

it is as bad as that

think," he said. "It i

e chair. "I will try and per

a position like mine, who has an opportunity to observe him almost hourly, day by day, who would realize his condition. I doubt if he has any organic trouble whatever. What he needs is a long rest,

to him and see if I can't persuade him to take a t

The long sea voyage will do him a world of good. And now,"

d him gen

issing now," and turning she entered