CHAPTER I


The editor of that much-abused New York daily, _Liberty_, pushed back
his editorial typewriter and opened one letter in the pile which the
office-boy--no respecter of persons--had just laid upon the desk while
whistling a piercing tune between his teeth.

The letter said:

DEAR BEN,--I hate to think what your feelings will be on
learning that I am engaged to be married to a daughter of the
capitalistic class. Try to overcome your prejudices, however,
and judge Eugenia as an individual and not as a member of a
class. She has very liberal ideas, reads your paper, and is
content to go with me to Monroe College and lead the life of
an instructor's wife. You will be glad to know that Mr. Cord
disapproves as much as you do, and will not give his daughter
a cent, so that our life will be as hard on the physical side
as you in your most affectionate moments could desire. Mr.
Cord is under the impression that lack of an income will cool
my ardor. You see he could not think worse of me if he were my
own brother.

Yours,

DAVID.

The fine face of the editor darkened. It was the face of an