is misconception was so strongly intrenched in the forefront
of his brain that he could not possibly dislodge it at once.

Mrs. Rosscott continued to dry the tears that continued to rise; she
seemed terribly affected at finding herself to have been the cause (no
matter how innocently) of this latest tale of wrack and ruin.

"Do you mean to say," the young man said, at last, "that there was no
truth in what I heard? Don't you expect to marry Holloway?"

"I never expect to marry anyone, but certainly not him," she replied,
trying to regain her composure.

"Honest?"

"Assuredly."

It was as if an unseen orchestra had suddenly burst forth just near enough
and just far enough away. He came to the side of her chair and laid his
hand upon its back.

"Then what have you been thinking of me lately?" he asked.

"Very sad thoughts," she confessed--hiding her face again.

"Did you care?"

"Yes, I cared."

He stood beside her for a long time without speaking or moving. Then he
suddenly pulled a chair forward, and sat down close in front of her.

"Don't cry," he said, almost daring to be tender. "There's nothing to cry
about _now_, you know."

"I think there's plenty for me to cry about," she said, looking up through
her long wet lashes. "It is so terrible for me to be the one that is to
blame. Papa swears he'll never forgive Bob, and your aunt--"

"Lord love you!" he exclaimed; "don't worry over me or my aunt. I don't. I
don't mind anything, with Holloway staked in the ditch. I can get along
well enough now."

He smiled--actually smiled--as he spoke.

"Oh, you mustn't speak so," she said, blushing; "indeed, you must not."
And smiled, too, in spite of herself.

"Who's going to stop me?" he said. "You know that you can't; I'm miles the
biggest."

She looked at him and tried to frown, but only blushed again instead. He
put out his hand and took hers into its clasp.

"I'm everlasting glad to shake college," he declared gayly; "it never was
my favorite alley. I've made up my mind to go to work just as soon as I
get these pastry strips off my head."

"Where?"

"I don't know. Anywhere. I don't care."

"But you'll come to my house when Bob comes next week, won't you?" she
asked suddenly. "I can see now why you wouldn't before, but--but it's
different now. Isn't it?"

"Is it?" he said, asking the question chiefly of her pretty eyes. "Is it
honestly different now?"

"I think it is," she answered.

A door bang