ey somehow within a short time we sh

n through the Venetian blinds, fell in patches on the polished floors-Peggy's work, for Miss Prescott's circumstances had been for some time too straitened to afford the servants she formerly had.

forward her brother's dreams. For poor Mr. Prescott had always been "just on the verge of making a fortune." Mr. Harding's errand was to state that the interest being long overdue and there being no immediate prospect of settle

quired poor Miss Prescott, who really knew no

I have refrained from telling you so till now, your account at the bank is much overdrawn. However," he had continued, "to show y

to Roy and Peggy that sunny afternoon that had brought fort

he man mean to say that there is nothing, absolu

t shook her

which the first Prescott settled on and which has been in the family ever since. Oh, dear!" and Miss Prescott, never the most strong-minded of women

bad as all that," she persisted.

dollars!" cried

ey," from Roy. But Peggy ha

ing. "We must write this very day for particular

burst out Roy, almost equally excited. "I'd forgotten

es, most of them far better than the Golden Butterfly, entered in the contest which they had re

committee in charge of the Higgins' prize. Under her brave, independent urgings things began

"if only I knew some one who needed a bright young

salary at it anyhow," r

ught you all I know about an aeroplane. The rest lies with you, of course.'" Peggy went on modestly: "I could run an auto before. I learned on the one that Jess had at school, so it reall

hat now, sis. There are more important things to be thought of than that. I'm going into town to

r!" snif

, "is to get a position. It's time I was a breadwinner." Roy

miringly, "do you think you'l

business houses would be glad-to have me with them," Roy was going t

could hardly be expected to appreciate the responsibilities of the man of the household. For sin

bank. On the contrary, had he been expected he could not have been ushered into the old ma

, "is there no way in which this

ter in front of him. Apparently he was in deep thought. But had Roy been able to penetrate that mask

built an aeroplane which i

e ideas we put into it were my father's-every one of the

ot look astonished. I know all about your affairs. More than you think for. And now having exp

of the Golden Butterfly-he had not given much thought to that part of it. He r

ent, sir. He wanted the United States to have the

an inventor. Now I have a business proposition to make to you. I

ve thought of in connection with "Old Money Grubber," as he was sometimes called, was an ae

ance to organize a company to give aeroplane exhibitions and also to manufacture them. But he has not been able t

he raised

Come here

d into an adjoining office, the figure of Simon Harding's son appeared. To his chagrin, Roy r

very high to exhibit electric blue socks of the same hue as his necktie, greet

oy," he said, "but you never wer

to Roy. The other's patronizing air angered him. He would have liked to make some sharp, meanin

overheard all that you said. Now, Roy, my father has stated the case to you correctly. I've got a ch

y boy, come to the po

ge any day we want to. But we won't do it if you give us a square deal. Forget the government. Make a deal with us consigning to m

t accept that offer

anxious to set up my son in a paying business," exclaimed old Harding. "Our offer is a fair

said Roy, in a steady voice, a

nning, eagerly. "We'll draw up th

knew that the offer just made

e to think it over,"

aid old Harding, with a wave of

nted to consult with Peggy, and somehow Fanning felt that in that case his

u think that if you don't accept my offer you'll all be without a roof over your

Roy, with a flushed face. He rose and picked up his hat. Someho

but what can you do?"