He had started in young manhood with nothing but a good education, due in chief to his own industry and his having taken advantage to the full of such opportunities as life had afforded to him.

By unremitting work he had at thirty achieved a great fortune, which had, however; been up to then entirely invested and involved in his businesses.

With, however, the colossal plant at his disposal, and by aid of the fine character he had won for honesty and good work, he was able within the next ten years to pile up a fortune vast even in a nation where multi-millionaires are scattered freely.

Then he had married, wisely and happily.

But no child had come to crown the happiness of the pair who so loved each other till a good many years had come and gone.