me won't be complete without these. I bought them
for you with the advance check which my publishers sent after they had
read the first chapters of my book."

She opened the box. Within lay a little string of pearls. Not such pearls
as Nancy had shown her, but milk-white none the less, with shining lovely
lights.

"Oh," she gave a distressed cry, "you shouldn't have done it."

"Why not?"

"I can't accept them. Indeed I can't."

"I shall feel as if you had flung them in my face if you give them back
to me," heatedly.

"You shouldn't take it that way. It isn't fair to take it that way."

"It isn't a question of fairness. It is a question of kindness on your
part."

"I want to be kind."

"Then take them."

She thought for a moment with her eyes on the fire. When she raised them
it was to say, "Would you--want your little sister, Mimi, to take jewels
from any man?"

"Yes. If he loved her as I love you."

It was out, and they stood aghast. Then Geoffrey stammered, "Can't you
see that my soul kneels at your feet? That to me these pearls aren't as
white as your--whiteness?"

The rosy silk had slipped to the floor. She was like a very small goddess
in a morning cloud. "I can't take them. Oh, I can't."

He made a quick gesture. But for her restraining hand he would have cast
the pearls into the flames.

"Oh, don't," she said, the little hand tense on his arm. "Don't--hurt
me--like that."

He dropped the pearls into his pocket. "If you won't wear them nobody
shall. I suppose I seem to you like all sorts of a fool. I seem like all
sorts of a fool to myself."

He turned and left her.

An hour later he came back and found her still sewing on the rosy silk.
Her eyes were red, as if she had wept a little.

"I was a brute," he said, repentantly; "forgive me and smile. I am a
tempestuous fellow, and I forgot myself."

"I was afraid we weren't ever going to be friends again."

"I shall always be your friend. Yet--who wants a Blind Beggar for a
friend--tell me that, Mistress Anne?"

CHAPTER X

_In Which a Blind Beggar and a Butterfly Go to a Ball._

_In my Own Little Room._

UNCLE ROD, I went to the party!

I came home an hour ago, and since then I have been sitting all shivery
and shaky in my pink silk. It will be daylight in a few minutes, but I
shan't go to bed. I couldn't sleep if I did. I feel as if I shouldn't
ever sleep again.

Uncle Rod, Jimmie Ford was at the Crossroads ball!

I wen