better than you do," he stated, deliberately, "and I believe we
can pull this off, provided Wharton really wants to marry her.
Anyhow, he's so rich it's worth the odds, and she's just the sort
to fall for it."

"What's the idea?"

"If she's sore about that story in The Despatch we'll pull another
one--and keep pulling them."

"Humph! That'll queer Wharton."

"Not if you get inside his shirt and make him believe they're
lies. You and your mother will have to convince her that he's her
only 'out.'"

"I don't think much of that program," Jim protested, nervously.

Melcher smiled. "A girl like her can be driven anywhere if she's
handled right. Between you and your mother and Lilas you can do
it."

"Perhaps, but I doubt it. Ma's got her afraid of men. If we could
scare her good, if we could tip some John to rough it with her
some night, she might stampede to the altar."

"That's easy, but you can't put a stop-order on a thing like that.
There's no telling how far the guy might go."

"Oh, she'll take care of herself," said Jim, carelessly; "she's as