ks, was often faint. Magdalena
filled a glass, drank it, and blessed the swift fire which shook her
will free and made a disciplined regiment of her nerves. She was so
delighted at her sudden mastery over herself that she ran out into the
hall, caught Helena in her arms, and kissed her demonstratively. Helena
burst into tears. "You are the best girl on earth," she sobbed. "And I
feel so wicked; but I am so happy."

Magdalena dried her tears, a part she had filled many times. "You are
the dearest and most honest girl in the world," she said.

"Oh, I try to be honest, but I get so mixed up. I wish I could have a
new set of commandments handed down all for myself, and that I could
have made the rough draft of them. Then I'd be quite happy. But come
down and see Jack,--I couldn't stand John. He's awfully brown and looks
splendid."

Trennahan gave Magdalena's hand a friendly shake and asked her what the
plans for the summer were.

"Papa has a frightfully economical fit and says we are not to entertain
any more. He doesn't even allow us enough water to wash the windows; and
if this supply of gasoline gives out before the end of the summer, we've
got to burn oil."

"Magdalena!" gasped Mrs. Yorba. She wondered if her contribution to the
Yorbas had suddenly gone mad. But the sherry was in Magdalena's head.
She was quite conscious of it, but recklessly decided to let it have its
way so long as it helped her to convey to Trennahan the information that
he was no more to her than the browning tuberoses on the lawn.

"It's only what everybody knows," she replied. "I am sure everybody in
Menlo has discussed him threadbare. Mr. Trennahan, you happened upon him
in the oasis of his life; you never could stand it to dine here now. We
can scarcely see to eat, and he never opens his mouth except to swear at
the servants."

Mrs. Yorba was speeding her guests. When she returned, she gave her
daughter an annihilating glance and went into the house. Trennahan
stared at Magdalena. He saw her object, but could not guess the
motive-power behind. A sudden, sickening fear assailed him: Was
Magdalena deteriorating? And he the cause? But Magdalena was rattling
on. The sherry seemed to have a marvellous power over one's wits and
tongue. Why had she not known of it in the days when she had longed to
shine? But her mother did not approve of girls drinking wine, and she
had rarely tasted it, although until recently it had always been on the
table