The two men looked at each other with approving intelligence. "But
have you thought of a successor for ME, in case somebody shoots me
on sight any time in the next ten years?" asked Pendleton, with a
gravity equal to her own.

"I reckon, as you're President of the El Dorado Bank, you'll make
that a part of every president's duty too. You'll get the
directors to agree to it, just as Jack here will get the Common
Council to make it the Mayor's business."

The two men had risen to their feet, and, after exchanging glances,
gazed at her silently. Presently the Mayor said:--

"It can be done, Kate, and we'll do it for you--eh, Harry?"

"Count me in," said Pendleton, nodding. "But you'll want a third
man."

"What's that for?"

"The casting vote in case of any difficulty."

The woman's face fell. "I reckoned to keep it a secret with only
you two," she said half bitterly.

"No matter. We'll find some one to act, or you'll think of
somebody and let us know."

"But I wanted to finish this thing right here," she said
impatiently. She was silent for a moment, with her arched black