oyment, broken up his
home, and set off on this long journey for the sake of a woman who is
trying to hold out on a very few dollars in a couple of poor rooms
until his return. He's taking risks which I believe may be serious in
order that she may have a brighter and fuller life. Is there no
romance in this?"

What Blake said about his comrade's devotion to his wife appealed to
the girl. Marriage had apparently not lessened his tender thought for
her, and Millicent wondered whether she was capable of inspiring such a
feeling. She had found life hard, and so far had shrunk from the few
men who had cultivated her acquaintance. Indeed, she felt contaminated
as she remembered the advances made by one.

"On the face of it, looking for openings in the paint business doesn't
seem to be a very risky matter," she suggested.

"It depends a good deal on how it's done," Blake answered with a laugh.
"With Harding, a business opening is a comprehensive term."

Millicent mused for a moment or two. She liked Blake and he improved
upon acquaintance. He had a whimsical humour and a dash of reckless
gallantry. It was not to his credit that he had frequented her
father's house, and he was supposed to be in disgrace, but she had
cause to know that he was compassionate and chivalrous.

"Though you have not been with us long, we shall be duller when you
have gone," she told him.

"Well," he said, "in a sense that's nice to hear, but it's with mixed
feelings one leaves friends behind." His tone grew serious. "I've
lost some good ones."

"I can imagine your making others easily, but haven't you retained one
or two? I think, for instance, you could count on Mrs. Keith."

"Ah!" he said, "I owe a good deal to her. A little charity, such as
she shows, goes a very long way."

Millicent did not answer, and he watched her as she sat looking out
into the distance with grave brown eyes. Her face was gentle; he
thought there was pity for him in it and felt strongly drawn to her,
but he remembered that he was a man with a tainted name and must travel
a lonely road. She was conscious of his scrutiny, but took no offence
at it.

"Perhaps we had better change our place," she said by and by. "The sun
is rather strong now the wind has gone."

Some of the others joined them, and soon afterwards they walked down
the winding road to the city; when they sat outside the hotel after
dinner Blake asked Harding if he had enjoyed the aftern