edingly manly. "I was going to
say that, much as I care, I'd rather let you go free than hold you to
your agreement when I saw you didn't care for me."

"You were mighty smart!"

"No, I'm only a dunce, but even a dunce can liven up sufficiently when
he's in love to see whether his sweetheart cares for him or not, and
you didn't take much pains to hide the state of affairs," he said with
a rueful laugh. "I know enough about girls to know when they really
care."

"Practice, like," said Dawn.

"You can say that if you like," he gravely replied.

"Well, things were rather mixed, but now I know what I want."

"And that you don't want me?" he interposed.

"Well, you can marry Ada Grosvenor or Dora Cowper."

"We can leave that to the future; it doesn't enter into this question
at all," he said with a dignity that made the girl ashamed of herself.
"There will be no difficulty about my marrying, the main thing is
whether you are all right. It's easier for a man than a girl if he
does make a hash of it."

"Oh, Claude, don't be so good and generous, or you'll make me mad
because I'm not going to have you after all."

"Good and generous! Nonsense! I'm only doing what any decent fellow
would do; you'd do as much and more for me if things were reversed,"
he said, taking her hand. "Great Scott, what sort of a crawler did you
take me for? Did you think I'd cut up nasty about it? Surely you knew
I'd wish you well even if you were not for me; but won't you tell me
who it is that has put my light out?"

"Can't you guess?"

"Well, I suppose it's--"

"The red-headed mug," put in Dawn.

"Yes, I saw it all along, but that night in the street finished
matters. I knew my chances were as dead as a door-nail after that. You
only took me because something went out of gear between you, and
that's why you made me keep it dark."

"Oh, I don't want to say that, Claude."

"No, but I'm saying it; and now, is there anything else I can do for
you except wish you luck?"

"Only promise not to let grandma or any one know."

"Did you think it necessary to tell me that. I'd not be likely to howl
about my set-back. You needn't fear. I'll act with common-sense, and
pull through. I won't drown myself and haunt you, or any of that sort
of business," he said cheerfully.

"Oh, thank you more than I can say," she exclaimed enthusiastically;
"I hope you'll soon find some one better than I--some one as good as
yourself. Good-bye!"

"Well, Da