decent fellow."

"No doubt," said the other. "But he hasn't enough money to take care
of a girl like Alice."

"Well," he replied, "that's a question for Alice to consider."






CHAPTER X





ONE day, a month or so later, Montague, to his great surprise,
received a letter from Stanley Ryder.

"Could you make it convenient to call at my office sometime this
afternoon?" it read. "I wish to talk over with you a business
proposition which I believe you will find of great advantage to
yourself."

"I suppose he wants to buy my Northern Mississippi stock," he said
to himself, as he called up Ryder on the 'phone, and made an
appointment.