But even within a few hours the cloud land of Wall Street had changed
some of its aspects. The serenity of the preceding day was giving
place to indications of a disturbance in the financial atmosphere. He
had to buy more stock to keep the control he was gaining on the
market, and things were not shaping favorably for its rise. He was
already carrying a tremendous load, and even his herculean shoulders
began to feel the burden. In the press and rush of business he forgot
about Fox's social ambition in venturing to call where such men as Van
Dam and Gus Elliot had undisputed rights.

Those upon whom society lays its hands are orthodox of course.

The wary Fox was watching the stock market as closely as Mr. Allen,
and chuckled over the aspect of affairs; and he concluded to keep
quietly out of the way a little longer, and await further
developments.

Things moved rapidly as they usually do in the maelstrom of
speculation. Though Mr. Allen was a trained athlete in business, the
strain upon him grew greater day by day. But true to his promise, and
in accordance with his habit of promptness, he transferred the deed
for the little place in the country to Edith, who gloated over its dry
technicalities as if they were full of romantic hope and suggestion to
her.

One day when alone with Laura, Mr. Allen asked her suddenly:

"Has Mr. Goulden made any formal proposal yet?"

With rising color Laura answered: