hance to open the blinded Maggie's eyes to the evil and error of what
she was engaged upon, if anything had a chance to appeal to the finer
things he believed to exist unrecognized or suppressed in Maggie, this
was that thing.

And best part of this plan, its effect would be only within Maggie's
self. No one need know that anything had happened. There would be no
exposure, no humiliation.

Of course there was the great question of how to get Miss Sherwood to
invite Maggie; and whether indeed Miss Sherwood would invite her at
all. And there was the further question, the invitation being sent, of
whether Maggie would accept.

Larry decided to manipulate his design through Dick Sherwood. Late that
afternoon, when Dick, just returned from the city, dropped into, as was
his before-dinner custom, the office-study which had been set aside for
Larry's use, Larry, after an adroit approach to his subject, continued:

"And since I've been wished on you as a sort of step-uncle, there's
something I'd like to suggest--if I don't seem to be fairly jimmying my
way into your affairs."

"Door's unlocked and wide open, Captain," said Dick. "Walk right in and
take the best chair."

"Thanks. Remember telling me about a young woman you recently met? A
Miss Maggie--Maggie--"

"Miss Cameron," Dick prompted. "Of course I remember."

"And remember your telling me that this time it's the real thing?"

"And it IS the real thing!"

"You haven't--excuse me--asked her to marry you yet?"

"No. I've been trying to get up my nerve."

"Here's where you've got to excuse me once more, Dick--it's not my
business to tell you what should be your relations with your family--but
have you told your sister?"

"No." Dick hesitated. "I suppose I should. But I hadn't thought of
it--yet. You see--" Again Dick hesitated.

"Yes?" prompted Larry.

"There are her relatives--that cousin and uncle. I guess it must
have been my thinking of them that prevented my thinking of what you
suggest."

"But you told me they hadn't interfered much, and never would
interfere." Larry gently pressed his point: "And look at it from Miss
Cameron's angle of view. If it's the real thing, and you're behaving
that way toward her, hasn't she good grounds for thinking it strange
that you haven't introduced her to your family?"

"By George, you're right, Captain! I'll see to that at once."

"Of course, Dick," Larry went on, carefully feeling his way, "you know
much better