away?"

That was what he had come here to decide, and there flashed into his
mind a curious conception that was both fanciful and reassuring.

"Forget about the works for a moment; I want to ask you something."

"But do I know?" She smiled doubtfully.

"Yes, you'll know without any question whatever. It's the case of a
man who worked very hard, and he didn't work for money or glory, or
anything of that kind, but just because he loved it and couldn't help
it."

"That sounds very like yourself."

"There are many men like that, more than most people imagine," he said
quietly; "and after this one had, so to speak, built the foundations
and walls, he had not money enough to put on the roof, and another man
came along and offered to do it. Of course, he would get the credit
for the whole building. It was a very important one, and it affected
the lives and comfort of a great many people who would suffer if it
were not completed."

The girl glanced at him strangely. "Is that all?"

"Yes, except that the people who lived there would naturally forget all
about the man who laid the foundations and built the walls, and would
even blame him and think only of the one who made the place habitable
for them."

"But does that matter?" she asked quickly, looking at him.

Clark took a long look at the animated face. "That he should be
forgotten or blamed?"

"Yes. You said he worked for the love of it. He didn't ask for thanks
or appreciation, and from what you tell me he wasn't that kind." She
turned swiftly: "It is yourself."

"And if it were, that would not alter your judgment, would it?"

"Is it fair to ask?" Her eyes were full of a touching appeal.

"A frank opinion is the fairest thing to me," he said quietly. "I know
how you would look at it. There's only one answer you could give. If
it were otherwise it wouldn't be you: the first man has no alternative,
has he?"

"No," she whispered. Her face was pitiful, as though she had been
secretly and cruelly hurt.

"Then it is the works I'm considering," he continued slowly. "You're
the only one I can tell just now, but if they go on, it must be without
me."

"But they're your works. You dreamed them and then built them."

"I've had many dreams, Elsie."

Her heart beat rapturously. It was the first time he had called her
Elsie, and her spontaneous spirit went out to this man who stood facing
so great and sacrificial a decision. She longed to spend