es of earth are
already mine, for Love has given me eyes to see, ears to hear, and a
heart to feel. Perhaps I'm just a little crazy by the standard of New
York, but, dear, I thought you were my mate! Have you forgotten our old
day dreams in the fields at home?"

"I've forgotten everything," she answered bitterly, "except that you
are failing me when put to the first test. And it would be such a
little thing for you to do."

"At the price of my self-respect--and you call this a little
thing--great God!"

Nan rose with a sudden gesture of impatience.

"You refuse absolutely to consider this generous offer?"

"Absolutely."

"And you are not willing to let these romantic fancies wait until
you've made your fortune?"

The girl spoke with cold deliberation.

"How can I wait to live? I'm twenty-six. I'll never have those glorious
days of my young manhood again. My ears will never be so keen again or
eyes so clear again. What is the use of years of preparation to live,
if at last you don't know how?"

"And you are willing that the woman you love shall live in poverty
while her more fortunate sisters laugh and dance in luxury?"

"The one joy of my life will be to gratify every reasonable wish of
your body and soul."

"Yet the first reasonable wish I express, you refuse to consider."

"It would be suicide----"

"Oh, Jim, don't talk like a fool! Mr. Bivens says he would make you a
millionaire in five years."

The blood suddenly rushed to Stuart's face, and the square jaws came
together with a snap.

"That's very kind of Mr. Bivens, I'm sure. When I need his patronage,
I'll take my place in line with other henchmen and ask for it. At
present I'm paddling my own canoe."

Nan suddenly extended her hand.

"Good-night."

He attempted to draw her into his arms.

"Not like that, Nan."

She repulsed him and repeated her cold dismissal:

"Good-night."

"Nan, dear," he pleaded, "we've never parted in anger before. Of all
the hours of my life this is one in which I--I--least dreamed of such a
thing."

Without a word, she turned toward the stairs.

"Nan!" he called tenderly.

The proud white figure slowly mounted the first step. He seized his hat
and coat and grasped the door, fumbling at the knob in rage.

A dress rustled and he turned, confronting Nan. Her face was scarlet
and two tears were creeping down her checks. With a sob she threw
herself into his arms.

"Forgive me, Jim!"

"Forgive me, dear,