s face quite
clearly exhibited his true feeling. Yet there was that about her
constrained manner which held him to respectful silence, so that for a
moment the hesitation between them grew almost painful. Miss Norvell,
realizing this new danger, struggled weakly against sudden temptation
to throw herself unreservedly upon the mercy of this new friend,
confide wholly in him, accept his proffered aid, and flee from possible
coming trouble. But pride proved even stronger than fear, and her lips
closed in firm resolution.

"Mr. Winston," she said, and now her eyes were uplifted unfaltering to
his own. "I find myself obliged to speak with a frankness I have hoped
to avoid. It was never my desire that you should call for me at the
theatre to-night."

"Indeed?" His surprised tone clearly exhibited the sudden hurt of the
wound.

"Yes; yet, pray do not misunderstand me. I find it exceedingly
difficult to say this, and I confess I have even prayed that you would
be led to go away voluntarily, and without its being necessary for me
to appear discourteous. I appreciate your kindness, your gentlemanly
conduct. I--I greatly value your friendship, prize it more highly,
possibly, than you will ever be able to realize; yet, believe me, there
are reasons why I cannot permit you to--to be with me any longer in
this way. It is for your sake, as well as my own, that I am driven to
speak thus frankly, and I am certain you will not add to my pain, my
embarrassment, by asking more definite explanation."

His heart beating like a trip-hammer, Winston stood motionless, staring
into the girl's appealing face, suddenly aroused to her full meaning,
and as thoroughly awakened to a conception of what she really had
become to him. The thought of losing her, losing her perhaps to
another, seemed to chill his very soul.

"Assuredly, I will respect your secret," he answered, mastering his
voice with an effort. "I understand when I am bowled out. What is it
you desire me to do?"

He could not perceive in that dim light the sudden mist of tears
clouding her eyes, but she lifted her gloved hand and swept them aside.

"It is not easy to say such things, yet I must. I wish you to go away;
go back to Denver," she exclaimed; then, all at once, her strained
voice broke into a little sob. "I cannot stand your presence here!"

That last impetuous sentence burst through his armor of constraint, and
for the instant he forgot everything but t