She passed on in, swinging her arms.

"Yes, well--" Butler continued, when she had gone. "Then well leave it
for a day or two. Good day."

"Good day."

Cowperwood, warm with this enhancing of his financial prospects, went
down the steps; but incidentally he spared a passing thought for the gay
spirit of youth that had manifested itself in this red-cheeked maiden.
What a bright, healthy, bounding girl! Her voice had the subtle,
vigorous ring of fifteen or sixteen. She was all vitality. What a fine
catch for some young fellow some day, and her father would make him
rich, no doubt, or help to.





Chapter XII


It was to Edward Malia Butler that Cowperwood turned now, some nineteen
months later when he was thinking of the influence that might bring him
an award of a portion of the State issue of bonds. Butler could probably
be interested to take some of them himself, or could help him place
some. He had come to like Cowperwood very much and was now being carried
on the latter's books as a prospective purchaser of large blocks of
stocks. And Cowperwood liked this great solid Irishman. He liked his
history. He had met Mrs. Butler, a rather fat and phlegmatic Irish woman