s circumstances. It was exactly as
she tried to do when her own circumstances changed so that it had
seemed possible. She had failed merely because she was a
woman--because men refused to leave her free.

His proposal was merely that she share his freedom. Good old
Monte--honest and four-square!

In return, there were little ways in which she might help him, even as
he might help her; but they had come faster than either had expected.

Where was the surgeon? She rose and went to the clerk.

"Are you sure the surgeon has not gone?" she asked.

"Very sure," answered the clerk. "He has just sent out for a nurse to
remain with monsieur."

"A nurse?" repeated Marjory.

"The doctor says Monsieur Covington must not be left alone."

"It's as bad--as that?" questioned Marjory.

"I do not know."

"I must see the doctor at once," she said. "But, first,--can you give
me apartments on the same floor,--for myself and maid? I am his
fiancee," she informed him.

"I can give mademoiselle apartments adjoining," said the clerk eagerly.

"Then do so."

She signed her name in the register, and beckoned for Marie.

"Marie," she said, "you may return and finish packing my trunks.
Please bring them here."

"Here?" queried Marie.

"Here," answered Marjory.

She turned to the clerk.

"Take me upstairs at once."

There was a strong smell of ether in the hall outside the door of Monte
Covington's room. It made her gasp for a moment. It seemed to make
concrete what, after all, had until this moment been more or less
vague. It was like fiction suddenly made true. That pungent odor was
a grim reality. So was that black-bearded Dr. Marcellin, who, leaving
his patient in the hands of his assistant, came to the door wiping his
hands upon a towel.

"I am Mr. Covington's fiancee--Miss Stockton," she said at once. "You
will tell me the truth?"

After one glance at her eyes Dr. Marcellin was willing to tell the
truth.

"It is an ugly bullet wound in his shoulder," he said.

"It is not serious?"

"Such things are always serious. Luckily, I was able to find the
bullet and remove it. It was a narrow escape for him."

"Of course," she added, "I shall serve as his nurse."

"Good," he nodded.

But he added, having had some experience with fiancees as nurses:--

"Of course I shall have for a week my own nurse also; but I shall be
glad of your assistance. This--er--was an accident?"

She nodded.

"He was try