the battle of hostile shades and colors was raging with
undiminished fury. In answer to Peter's look of inquiry, he
said: ``I came about your son-in-law, Mr. Feuerstein.''

``Who are you? Who told you?'' asked Peter, wilting into a
chair.

``They told me at the theater.''

Peter gave a sort of groan. ``It's out!'' he cried, throwing up
his thick, short arms. ``Everybody knows!''

Shrewd Otto saw the opening. ``I don't think so,'' he replied,
``at least not yet. He has a bad reputation--I see you know that
already. But it's nothing to what he will have when it comes out
that he's been trying to marry a young lady down town since he
married your daughter.''

``But it mustn't come out!'' exclaimed Ganser. ``I won't have
it. This scandal has disgraced me enough.''

``That's what I came to see you about,'' said Otto. ``The young
lady and her friends don't know about his marriage. It isn't
necessary that any of them should know, except her. But she must
be put on her guard. He might induce her to run away with him.''

``Rindsvieh!'' muttered Ganser, his hair and whiskers bristling.
``Dreck!''

``I want to ask you, as a man and a father, to see that this