failure to negotiate the loan. "That's just the trouble. If a blind
man came along, I've no doubt he could see something attractive in
her."

"Damme! If she were my own daughter, I'd thrash you for that remark,
sir."

"If she were your own daughter, you wouldn't be discussing her with a
high-ball in your hand."

The General coughed. "Ahem! Eddie, I'd give a good deal to see that
girl married. Leave the bottle on the table, boy. She will have money
--a lot of it--one of these days. There are dozens of young men that we
know who'd do 'most anything for money. I--By George!" He broke off to
stare with glittering eyes at the face of the young man opposite. A
great thought was expanding in his brain.

Eddie shifted nervously. "Why are you looking at me like that? I don't
need it that badly."

"I'd never thought of you, Eddie,--'pon my word I hadn't. Not until
this moment. You need money worse than any one I know. There isn't
another girl in town who would marry you, and Martha WOULD. Believe
me, she would! And let me tell you, sir, you couldn't find a truer
wife than Martha. You--"

"She couldn't help being true," mused Eddie, rattling the ice in his
empty glass. The General pushed the bottle toward him.

"She is a bit older than you, I'll admit," pursued the General