must, you must!"

She tore herself out of his relaxed arms and pressed her fists against
her eyes to shut out the sight of him.

"Go away!" Her voice was flat and heavy. She turned and crossed her
arms against the vine-clad trunk of a wild-apple tree and leaned her
head upon them. "Don't come near me. You must not. You won't if
you--if you play fair."

"Forgive me!" he said miserably. "I forgot--I didn't think----"

"Don't! Don't apologize--to me."

She waited a moment longer, then turned and faced him. The girlhood
was gone from her eyes once more, and her mouth was hardened. She did
not meet his eyes, she did not look at him, but stared off into the
jungle as she spoke.

"I came out here on purpose to meet you." Her tone was cold and
precise. "He--Mr. Garman--told me the truth about those three men last
night. It is a lie--about your title being a false one. Your title is
the good one. The other title is false. They intend to get possession
of the land and entangle it in a lawsuit which will ruin you."

"What does it matter?" he cried pleadingly. "What does that matter?"

There was no response from her. She looked steadily off into the
jungle.

"That is just what does matter," she said. "You must not let them get
possession of your land."

"I don't intend to. But that----"

"I don't want to see them gobble you up like"--she laughed
bitterly--"like they're doing to me."

"No! They haven't done that. They can't. I saw it a moment ago."

"Don't! It hurts. No, they haven't gobbled me up yet, but I don't
think they'll delay much longer. They're too strong for me, you see:
Aunty, and father, and--him. Aunty trained me for it; poor father
cries: he's in his power; and he--it's a terribly strong array against
one girl--all alone."

"Not quite alone."

"Yes, quite alone. That's the horror of it. I've told you before; you
couldn't understand; but it's myself, only my own soul, that can settle
this--it's very strange."

"You can't tell me--what it is?"

"I've told you too much now. But you must take care of yourself. No
matter what happens you must take care of yourself."

"I don't know if that's so important," said Roger. "I confess I've
lost considerable interest in just myself."

"I've--made you--do that?"

"I want to take care of you."

She smiled a smile too old, too cynical for her youthful lips.

"That was a kind thing to say, but----"

"I love you," said Roger