As for Merrill--well, if you can show him where he can get something out of it for his store, I guess he'll be for you." It is one of the splendid yet sinister fascinations of life that there is no tracing to their ultimate sources all the winds of influence that play upon a given barque--all the breaths of chance that fill or desert our bellied or our sagging sails.

We plan and plan, but who by taking thought can add a cubit to his stature?
Who can overcome or even assist the Providence that shapes our ends, rough hew them as we may.
Cowperwood was now entering upon a great public career, and the various editors and public personalities of the city were watching him with interest.

Augustus M.Haguenin, a free agent with his organ, the Press, and yet not free, either, because he was harnessed to the necessity of making his paper pay, was most interested.

Lacking the commanding magnetism of a man like MacDonald, he was nevertheless an honest man, well-intentioned, thoughtful, careful.

Haguenin, ever since the outcome of Cowperwood's gas transaction, had been intensely interested in the latter's career.