t last she
found words to say:

"We must not talk of these things, Mr. Sanderson. I have to go back
and care for my mother. She is an invalid and needs all my attention.
Bedsides, we are poor; desperately poor. I am here in your world, only
through the kindness of my cousin, Mrs. Tremont."

"It was your world till a year ago, Anna. I know all about your
father's failure, and how nobly you have done your part since then, and
it kills me to think of you, who ought to have everything, spending
your life--your youth--in that stupid little Waltham, doing the work of
a housemaid."

"I am very glad to do my part," she answered him bravely, but her eyes
were full of unshed tears.

"Anna, dearest, listen to me." He crossed over to where she sat and
took her hand. "Can't you have a little faith in me and do what I am
going to ask you? There is the situation exactly. My father won't
consent to our marriage, so there is no use trying to persuade him.
And here you are--a little girl who needs some one to take care of you
and help you take care of your mother, give her all the things that
mean so much to an invalid. Now, all this can be done, darling, if you
will only have faith in me. Marry me now secretly, before you go back
to Waltham. No one need know. And then the governor can be talked
around in time. My allowance will be ample to give you and your mother
all you need. Can't you see, darling?"

The color faded from her cheeks. She looked at him with eyes as
startled as a surprised fawn.

"O, Lennox, I would be afraid to do that."

"You would not be afraid, Anna, if you loved me."

It was so tempting to the weary young soul, who had already begun to
sink under the accumulated burdens of the past year, not for herself,
but for the sick mother, who complained unceasingly of the changed
conditions of their lives. The care and attention would mean so much
to her--and yet, what right had she to encourage this man to go against
the wishes of his father, to take advantage of his love for her? But
she was grateful to him, and there was a wealth of tenderness in the
eyes that she turned toward him.

"No, Lennox, I appreciate your generosity, but I do not think it would
be wise for either of us."

"Don't talk to me of generosity. Good God, Anna, can't you realize
what this separation means to me? I have no heart to go on with my
life away from you. If you are going to throw me over, I shall cut
college an