then gave a
long sigh of delight.

"Isn't it wonderful just to live on a day like this?" And then with a
laugh, "Jerry, you simply _must_ give us Horsham Manor as a fresh air
farm."

He smiled slowly.

"It would do nicely, wouldn't it?"

"Oh, yes, splendidly. Five thousand acres! That would be an acre
apiece for every man, woman and child in the whole district. We would
build mills by the lake, factories along the road and tenements in
groups on the hills over there. It _might_ spoil the landscape, but it
would be so--er--so satisfying."

"And you'd want _me_ to pay the bills," he laughed.

"Oh, yes. Of course. What are bills _for_ unless to be paid?"

"Help yourself," he smiled. "Will you have the deeds made out today or
wait until next week?"

"I suppose I _might_ wait until tomorrow."

"Oh, thanks. And, for the present, we'll go fishing."

"I'll be ready in a moment." And she went upstairs for her hat and
gloves.

Already he yielded again to the spell of her comradeship and humor.
And a moment later I saw them set off toward the Sweetwater, Una
glowing with quiet delight, Jerry slowly showing the infection of her
happiness.

The nature of Una's conversation with Jerry during that morning of
fishing and in the days that followed must always remain a secret to
me. I know that when they returned Jerry was in a cheerful mood and
put through an afternoon of tennis with Jack, while Una and her mother
knitted in the shade. She was wholesome, that girl, and no one could
be with her long without feeling the impress of her personality. But I
was not happy. Marcia hung like a millstone around my neck. I knew
that it was at the risk of a considerable sacrifice of pride that Una
had decided to come with her mother and make this visit. The world and
her own frequent contact with women of the baser sort had sharpened
her wits and instincts amazingly. I am sure that she was just as well
aware of the nature of Jerry's infatuation as though Jerry had told it
himself. If Una cared for him as deeply as I had had the temerity to
suppose, then her position was difficult--painful and thankless. But
whatever her own wish to help him, I am sure that the nature of the
desire was unselfish. After events prove that. All that Una saw in the
situation of Jerry and Marcia was a friend who needed helping, who was
worth helping from the snare of an utterly worldly and heartless
woman. I am sure that her knowledge of the world must