York Macpherson sat combing his fingers through the heavy brown waves of
his hair, a habit of his when he was thinking deeply. But if a vision of
what might be came to him unbidden now, a vision that had come unbidden
many times in the last two weeks, making sweeter the smile that won men
to him, he put it resolutely away from him for the time. He must help
this girl to help herself. Romance belonged to other men. He was not of
the right mold for that--not now, at least.

"I heard to-day that there is need of a mathematics teacher in our
high-school for next year. It pays eighty dollars a month," he said.

"Oh, York," Laura protested, earnestly. "You know Jerry never thought of
such a thing as teaching. And I really must have her here. You are away
so much, you know you are."

But her brother only smiled. When York Macpherson frowned he might be
giving in, but his sister knew that his smile meant absolute resistance.

"Ponk was talking to me to-day. He is the treasurer of the school board
now, and he mentioned the vacancy. He was casting about for some one
fitted to teach mathematics. Even though his mind runs more on his
garage than on education, he has a deep interest in the schools. He
admires your ability to manage a car so much it occurred to him that you
might consider this position. Fine course of reasoning, but he is sure
of his ground."

"Let me think it over," Jerry said, slowly.

"And then forget it," Laura suggested. "York and I are invited out this
evening. Won't you come with us? It is just a little informal doings
across the river."

"I would rather be alone to-night," her guest replied.

So the Macphersons let her have her way.

IX

IF A WOMAN WENT RIGHT WITH HERSELF

And thus it happened that Jerry Swaim was alone this evening behind the
honeysuckle-vines, with leaf shadow and moonbeams falling caressingly on
her filmy white gown and golden hair. For a long time she sat still.
Once she said, half aloud, unconscious that she was speaking at all:

"So Eugene Wellington has given up his art for an easy berth in the
Darby bank. He hadn't the courage to resist the temptation, though it
made him a tool instead of a master of tools. And we promised each other
we would each make our own way, independent of Aunt Jerry's money. Maybe
if I had been there things would have been different."

She gripped her hands in her quick, nervous way, as a homesick longing
swept her soul. She was sear