STRICTLY A BUSINESS BARGAIN
Clayton found Martha in a corner of the veranda ten minutes later, in a
brown study.
"Here, this will never do," he began cheerfully. "Is it as bad as that?"
Martha looked up with an attempt at cheerfulness.
"It is of no consequence," she said simply. "You wouldn't understand."
"Am I so dense as all that?" he protested. "Any one with half an eye
could see that you are in trouble, and I'd like to help if I can be of
any assistance."
Martha looked up at the lawyer hopefully. "Mr. Clayton," she said, "Mrs.
Kilpatrick says you are from New York. I've never been there. A few
moments ago I said I wanted to go on the stage, and you laughed at me.
Now, may I ask you seriously for your advice, and will you give me a
serious answer?"
Clayton sat down by her side. "Fire away," he commanded.
"In the first place, I have firmly decided to go on the stage,"
explained Martha. "I have great ambition, I have been told that I read
well, and I must make a living somehow. That settled, the only problem
is the way to go at it. Will you advise me?"
"But you are not cut out for that sort of life," protested Clayton.
"You--you should marry--you'll find more real happiness there."
"Have you done that?" inquired Martha.
"That's different. I'm a man."
"Oh, yes, and being one, you think we women can't get along without
you."
"No one can live happily without love."
"If you have success, you don't need love," insisted Martha.
"My dear child," Clayton tried to explain, "the greatest success means
nothing if the right person does not share it with you."
Martha rose to her feet proudly.
"I will risk its meaning nothing if I can only have it."
"Do you mean that?" inquired Clayton, looking at her.
"Yes."
"And you have made up your mind that you must have a career?"
"Absolutely."
Clayton half laughed at her earnestness.
"Have you any money?" he asked suddenly.
"No," admitted Martha, reluctantly. "That is, not much."
"Then how will you begin?"
"I don't know."
"You will find money very necessary."
"I'll manage somehow," declared Martha, with conviction.
Clayton gazed at her curiously for a few moments. Something about the
girl must have struck him as being distinctly out of the ordinary. Twice
he started to speak, but each time hesitated as though uncertain what to
say. "I've got an idea," he blurted out finally.
Martha turned toward him inquiringly, but did not speak.
"I'll assist you," explained Clayton. "Suppose I lend you the necessary
capital for you to go to New York and live until you meet with this
success you are determined shall come to you?"
"Oh, but I couldn't let you do that," protested Martha. "People might
talk, and anyhow, I am determined to succeed on my merits, if at all."
"Wait," interrupted Clayton. "This is a cold-blooded business
proposition. If a man opens a store, he must have capital to start with.
If a miner goes prospecting, he must have some one 'grub-stake' him to
start--that is, give him food and money to last until he strikes pay
dirt. In any venture it is the same; capital is necessary--why not let
me capitalize yours? After you succeed, you can pay back the original
investment, with regular business interest."
"But if I fail--you have no security."
"That's my risk. Besides, I've another reason. I have spent enough on
the different fads I've had to send a dozen girls through college. I've
wasted thousands of dollars collecting useless things like old postage
stamps and antiques, but never once has it occurred to me to collect
samples of character."
"I don't quite understand." Martha's eyes were wide open in amazement.
"Your attitude toward success interests me."
"I'm sure it is justified," insisted Martha.
"That remains to be seen. It is understood that I will start you on
this career purely as a business proposition. But if I am to furnish the
money, I must have the controlling interest in the partnership. You are
to be absolutely guided by what I say, to be responsible to me, and to
follow my advice in all things."
"Won't I even have a minority vote?" pouted Martha.
"Yes, but the presiding officer can overrule you any time he wishes. In
other words, I shall be practically your--your--"
"What?"
"Your guardian. But remember--if I start you on this life where you will
be plunged at once into the vortex of all that is fascinating and
attractive, you will perhaps find many admirers. No dragging Love along
with Success if we should meet him on the way."
Martha clapped her hands gleefully.
"I shall be too busy cultivating Success to even recognize Love if I
should meet him," she cried gaily.
"Good. Then it's down with Love?"
"Yes," responded Martha. "And up with Success."
"Then that's settled," responded Clayton, in a businesslike tone,
looking at his watch. "And now I think we'd better get some dinner."