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The Making of William Simms83"I don't know. Invest it, I suppose." banker, "and I'll talk to you. In the"Why don't you go to Mr. Parr, William,meantime, young man, don't buy anyand ask his advice? I'm sure he'd more stocks. Above all, don't buy anybe pleased.""Yes," said William, with a droll wink."He'd probably take me into partnership.Why—what's the matter, mommie?"more newspapers.""No, sir," said William."Logical!" muttered the banker, as thedoor closed behind William's youthful" The steak !" cried mommie. " It'll be form. " God bless my soul!"burned to a crisp."William waved his hand."We can afford it," said he.It must not be supposed that Williamwas made junior partner of the firm thatThe next morning, despite the fact that afternoon. The most that he received, inhe had scoffed at mommie's suggestion, fact, was a caustic lecture upon the follyWilliam actually did present his case to of buying stocks that seemed logical. ButMr. Parr. He had gone into the banker's the lecture occupied one hour of Johnoffice with a sheaf of letters requiring the Parr's time, which in itself was highlylatter's signature. When this small businesssignificant. William went home in awas concluded, William said: mood almost hilarious. Not only had the"I would like to speak to you for a banker promised to assist him with hismoment, sir, if you will permit me." investments, but also to keep an eye upon"Well?" snapped the banker.him in the future. Vaguely he felt that"I—I have made a little money recently,and I would like to ask your adviceas to the investment of it."he was drawing nearer to his goal."You have made a lot of money, by alucky fluke," the great man had said.The great man glanced up impatiently. "You can do one of two things. In theHis gray eyes, peering out beneath their first place, you can stop working and liveshaggy white brows, held a choleric gleam. on your income. Or you can stay here, atBut something in William's ingenuous forty dollars a week, and learn the bankingsmile aroused his curiosity.business. There is room in this office"How much have you made?""About half a million dollars," saidWilliam."The devil you have!"for a young man with brains.""Thank you, sir," said William. "I'llstay."Three months later he received an invitation"Yes, sir."to dine at the Parr residence. It" Young man ! Have you been playingthe market?""Yes, sir.""What did you buy?"was an informal invitation, extemporaneouslydelivered; but it marked an epochin William's life."Young man," said the banker, "I"Steel," said William.have taken a fancy to you. I'm getting"Steel!"old. I want some one to bear a part of"Yes, sir.""What made you do that?"my burden, some one whom I can trust.I'm not sure that you're the man, but if"I saw an article in a newspaper that you are I want to know it. Suppose yousaid there was to be a merger " come to dinner to-morrow night, and we'll"That was only a rumor !"get acquainted.""Yes, sir. But it seemed logical." , It required the whole of William's mental"Logical!""Yes, sir."powers to stammer an acceptance." Good God!" said the banker. "Logical!"A man in livery opened the door of thecastle to William. Another man took hisHe studied William for a moment in hat, coat, and stick. Still another escortedsilence, his small eyes as bright as flame.Then he said abruptly:him, in dignified silence, to a greatroom that stretched indefinitely into dull" Your name is Simms, isn't it ? " golden shadows. It was like walking in"Yes, sir.""Come back in half an hour," said thethe house of a dream.William seated himself upon a royal-