asked, lowering her voice.

"Yes, I do. I have thought of it every night since."

"You were very rude, I remember."

"You didn't think so then," said Ranald, boldly.

"I ought to have been very angry," replied Maimie, severely.

"But you weren't, you know you weren't; and do you remember what you
said?"

"What I said? How awful of you; don't you dare! How can I remember?"

"Yes, you do remember, and then do you remember what _I_ said?"

"What YOU said indeed! Such assurance!"

"I have kept my word," said Ranald, "and I am coming to-morrow night.
Oh, Maimie, it has been a long, long time." He came close to her and
caught her hand, the slumbering fire in his eyes blazing now in flame.

"Don't, don't, I'm sure there's Aunt Frank. No, no," she pleaded, in
terror, "not to-night, Ranald!"

"Then will you show me the study to-morrow night?"

"Oh, you are very mean. Let me go!"

"Will you?" he demanded, still holding her hand.

"Yes, yes, you ought to be ashamed of yourself. My hand is quite sore.
There, now, good night. No, I won't shake hands! Well, then, if you must
have it, good night."

CHAPTER XXII

FORGET THAT I LOVED YOU

"The night for dreaming, but the morn for seeing." And so Ranald found
it; for with the cold, calm light of the morning, he found himself
facing his battle with small sense of victory in his blood. He knew he
had to deal that morning with the crisis of his life. Upon the issue his
whole future would turn, but his heart without haste or pause preserved
its even beat. The hour of indecision had passed. He saw his way and he
meant to walk it. What was beyond the turn was hid from his eyes, but
with that he need not concern himself now. Meantime he would clear away
some of this accumulated correspondence lying on his desk. In the midst
of his work Harry came in and laid a bundle of bills before him.

"Here you are, old chap," he said, quietly. "That's the last of it."

Ranald counted the money.

"You are sure you can spare all this? There is no hurry, you know."

"No," said Harry, "I can't spare it, but it's safer with you than with
me, and besides, it's yours. And I owe you more than money." He drew
a deep breath to steady himself, and then went on: "And I want to say,
Ranald, that I have bet my last stake."

Ranald pushed back his chair and rose to his feet.

"Now that's the best thing I've heard for some time," he said, offering
Harry his hand; "and that's the last of