her men were true to other women. Her father had been faithful
to her mother. At the thought of her own father and his opinion of her
conduct she winced, but it did not change her point of view as to her
present rights. See her hair! See her eyes! See her smooth,
resplendent arms! Why should Cowperwood not love her? Why, indeed?

One night, shortly afterward, she was sitting in her boudoir reading,
waiting for him to come home, when the telephone-bell sounded and he
informed her that he was compelled to remain at the office late.
Afterward he said he might be obliged to run on to Pittsburg for
thirty-six hours or thereabouts; but he would surely be back on the
third day, counting the present as one. Aileen was chagrined. Her
voice showed it. They had been scheduled to go to dinner with the
Hoecksemas, and afterward to the theater. Cowperwood suggested that she
should go alone, but Aileen declined rather sharply; she hung up the
receiver without even the pretense of a good-by. And then at ten
o'clock he telephoned again, saying that he had changed his mind, and
that if she were interested to go anywhere--a later supper, or the
like--she should dress, otherwise he would come home expecting to
remain.

Aileen immediately concluded that some scheme he had had to amuse
himself had fallen through. Having spoiled her evening, he was coming
home to make as much hay as possible out of this bit of sunshine. This
infuriated her. The whole business of uncertainty in the matter of his
affections was telling on her nerves. A storm was in order, and it had
come. He came bustling in a little later, slipped his arms around her
as she came forward and kissed her on the mouth. He smoothed her arms
in a make-believe and yet tender way, and patted her shoulders. Seeing
her frown, he inquired, "What's troubling Babykins?"

"Oh, nothing more than usual," replied Aileen, irritably. "Let's not
talk about that. Have you had your dinner?"

"Yes, we had it brought in." He was referring to McKenty, Addison, and
himself, and the statement was true. Being in an honest position for
once, he felt called upon to justify himself a little. "It couldn't be
avoided to-night. I'm sorry that this business takes up so much of my
time, but I'll get out of it some day soon. Things are bound to ease
up."

Aileen withdrew from his embrace and went to her dressing-table. A
glance showed her that her hair was slightly awry, and she smoothed it