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The magnate stewed all this out between deliberate cigarette puffs, opening and closing his eyes, which were fixed on Abner.

This pointed discussion of Adelaide's matrimonal future brought a certain suspense and suggested very enticing possibilities to Abner. He glanced around the handsome library and felt a dawning proprietary interest in it. The youth almost said—he had it on the tip of his tongue to say, "Mr. Jones, I wouldn't think of taking Adelaide away from you," but an indeterminate atmosphere about the rich man suggested that Abner wait a little further, which the youth did, leaning back in his chair, and letting go the breath with which he had meant to talk.

"What I wanted to see you about," rebegan Mr. Jones, "is a little trouble I'm having with my men in winding up the railroad work."

Abner looked his disappointment at this abandonment of the theme of Adelaide.

"What's the matter with your men?" he asked without interest.

"Well, they've been tryin' to engineer a strike for a long time, but now Perry Northcutt's got behind it an' it's goin' through."

"I hadn't heard it."

"No, you've been pretty busy in society here in Lanesburg lately." This was said in Railroad's usual burring voice, but Abner thought he detected a faint sarcasm in it. He looked at the broad yellow face.

"You wanted to see me about that?"

"Yes."

"What can I do?"

"I thought maybe you would be interested in this family keepin' some of the value my railroad is bringin' into this county, Abner. Ever'thing I've got now is in that railroad. If it was finished I could git a line of credit on it an' pay Perry off, but if it's tied up in a strike I kain't do it, an' nachelly