The Winning of Barbara Worth

him after James Greenfield left when he was again interrupt

ness and uncertainty rather than readiness for action. His head dropped forward, his thin fingers nervously tapped the

that big, fine-looking man just going out was Mr. Greenfie

see me," said Jeff

the w

already started the

u, dadd

the door. Then silently indicating the chai

brown eyes died out and a look of questioning doubt came. She seemed to shr

ce gave no sign; only those thin, nervou

help, daddy? Will you join

wondered what was going on behind that gray mask

poke one col

efully, "because it is such a great work. You

you and the

o change the desert into a land of farms and

crowd are going into this scheme becau

at and because thousands upon thousands of people, through years and years to come,

every side or running far into the future. When he answered his words were carefully exact. "Capitalists, as individuals might and do, spend millions in projects from which they, personally, expect no returns

"I don't think I quite u

s bank could exist if we made loans to Tom, Dick and Harry because they needed help, or put money into thi

ever do anything excep

say, ever cons

principles. As an individual any officer or stock holder can do what he pleases for whatever reason moves him. He can burn

rk men, who have organized the compa

er

in the Seer and his work or they woul

rom their standpoint. Their capital is i

hard to believe in men, father. I can't think that all busi

anker was not ignorant of the public sentiment toward himself and the men of his class in his

ish the money for the Seer to do this work for more than just what they will make out of i

lifetime. If he could have laid aside that gray mask and

e, coldly exact: "What do you figure

reat work and means so much to the world. I know, because since he returned he has talked to me so much about it. When he

er send him

e Mr. Greenfi

hy

knew better than they knew the Seer, to represe

," agreed Jef

e Company your fin

es

ve anything to do wit

se

to join th

ealth, was unbearably hateful to her. At home she ordered her horse and started for the open country. But

ing but profit. Nothing but profit, the sure promise of gain, could move him. He believed in the work; he had reported in favor of it to the Company. He knew that the Company was going ahead. He was willing enough that others should do the work, she thought bitterly. They might take the risk. It was even likely th

e and alone spent the evening on the porch. On the way to his room he paused a moment at her door. He knocked softly

rigation Company," the papers said in a long article setting forth the greatness of the work that was

oon of Mr. Greenfield's departure, with a thrill of pride. At last it had come-the day for which the Seer had hoped all these years. The dear old Seer! She was a little disappointed that

ig form of the engineer drooped with weakness, his head dropped forward, his eyes were fixed on the ground and he walked slowly, dragging his feet as with great weariness. With

ward his favorite chair. He sank into it as if overco

you ill? Let me

's all. I'll be all right in a little while. Only it was rather unexp

What is the matter?" Barbara had

ave let

understand.

mpany, you know. They have appointed M

work! You have given years to bring it before the world. They never would have

was to have some stock in the Company when it was organized, with the chief engineer's position at least, but there was nothing settled. Nothing could be settled until the actual completion of the survey, you know. I never dreamed of this. I can

elps. But when she would have kept him for supper he said: "No, I must fin

, in his precise way: "I figured that would be their first move." There was no feeling in his

that you expected the Company to put

there to expect

ue. It was maddening to think that while she had been dreaming and planning w

merely a calm, emotionless statement of fact. "I told you

her emotions and searching her father's face she asked: "Daddy, tell me

n with marked caution answered:

that you would have nothing to do with those men. It wo

ker asked: "Have

im, too? He wouldn't stay anyway after their

im. Holmes will need him," said Worth. The

ped. "What

tay," repeated