hat," said Susan. "I haven't so
much as----"

"I comprehend perfectly," interrupted Ransome. She interested
him, this unusual looking girl, with her attractive mingling of
youth and experience. Her charm that tempted people to give
her at once the frankest confidences, moved him to go out of
his way to help her. "You haven't the money," he went on.

"You must have it. So--I promised to place you, and I will.
I don't usually go so far in assisting my clients. It's not
often necessary--and where it's necessary it's usually
imprudent. However--I'll give you the address of a flat where
there is a lady--a trustworthy, square sort, despite her--her
profession. She will put you in the way of getting on a sound
financial basis."

Ransome spoke in a matter-of-fact tone, like a man stating a
simple business proposition. Susan understood. She rose. Her
expression was neither shock nor indignation; but it was none
the less a negative.

"It's the regular thing, my dear," urged Ransome. "To make a
start, to get in right, you can't afford to be squeamish. The
way I suggest is the simplest and most direct of several that
all involve the same thing. And the surest. You look
steady-headed--self-reliant. You look sensible----"

Susan smiled rather forlornly. "But I'm not," said she. "Not yet."

Ransome regarded her with a sympathy which she felt was
genuine. "I'm sorry, my dear. I've done the best I can for
you. You may think it a very poor best--and it is. But"--he
shrugged his shoulders--"I didn't make this world and its
conditions for living. I may say also that I'm not the
responsible party--the party in charge. However----"

To her amazement he held out a five-dollar bill. "Here's your
fee back." He laughed at her expression. "Oh, I'm not a
robber," said he. "I only wish I could serve you. I didn't
think you were so--" his eyes twinkled--"so unreasonable, let
us say. Among those who don't know anything about life there's
an impression that my sort of people are in the business of
dragging women down. Perhaps one of us occasionally does as
bad--about a millionth part as bad--as the average employer of
labor who skims his profits from the lifeblood of his
employees. But as a rule we folks merely take those that are
falling and help them to light easy--or even to get up again."

Susan felt ashamed to take her money. But he pressed it on
her. "You'll need it," said he. "I know how it is wit