dence in
churchly methods, so some good is gained, after all."

Bobby deliberately placed himself in the chair which long experience of
Miss Gannion's house had taught him best fitted the angles of his
anatomy.

"We came to have you settle a problem for us," he said; "so we are glad
your hand is in."

"And the problem," Sally added; "is Beatrix."

"What about Beatrix?" Miss Gannion asked.

"She is going to marry Sidney Lorimer, and she mustn't. Please tell us
how we are going to prevent it."

Miss Gannion sat still for a moment, with her clear eyes fixed on the
glowing embers.

"Are you sure that it would be best to prevent it?" she asked then.

Bobby started to his feet, faced about, and stood looking down at the
little figure of his hostess.

"Miss Gannion, Beatrix and I have been chums ever since we could go
alone. In fact, we learned to go alone by hanging on to each other's
hands. I love her as a fellow without any sisters is bound to love a
girl cousin; and I'll be blest if I can keep quiet and see her throw
herself away."

"Have you spoken to her about it?"

"I don't dare," Bobby returned bluntly. "I know I should end by losing
my temper and saying things about Lorimer. I wouldn't hurt Beatrix for
the world, and I believe she honestly thinks she is doing the Lord's own
work in not throwing Lorimer over."

"Perhaps she may be," Miss Gannion said gently.

"Miss Gannion! Well, if she is, I shall have to revise my notions of the
Lord," Bobby responded hotly.

Miss Gannion's smile never wavered. She knew Bobby Dane too well to
resent his occasional outbursts.

"Bobby, my dear boy," she said, with the maternal accent she assumed at
times; "this isn't too easy a problem for any of us; but the hardest
part of its solution is coming on Beatrix. It's not an easy place to put
a woman with a conscience. The old-fashioned idea was to marry a man to
reform him; the new-fashioned practice is to wash your hands of him
altogether, as soon as he makes a single slip. The middle course is the
most difficult one to take and the most thankless. Any good woman is
sure to have a strong hold on the man who loves her; and, in times of
real danger, she is afraid to let go that hold."

Bobby shook his head.

"That's Beatrix all over, Miss Gannion. But it will take a mighty strong
grip to haul Lorimer across to firm ground."

"I realize that."

"But the question is, does Beatrix realize it, too," Sally said
abruptl