iss an honest man's lips."

"For God's sake, Miss Hurlhurst, what do you mean?" cried Rex, slowly
rising from his seat and facing her, pale as death. "In Heaven's name,
explain the accusations you have just uttered, or I shall go mad! If a
man had uttered those words, I would have--"

The words died away on his lips; he remembered he was talking to a
woman. Rex's eyes fairly glowed with rage as he turned on his heel and
strode rapidly up and down the room.

"Rex," said Pluma, softly advancing a step toward him, "it always
grieves a true woman to admit the error of a fallen sister--they would
shield her if such a thing were possible."

"I do not believe it," retorted Rex, impetuously. "Women seem to take
a keen delight in slandering one another, as far as I can see. But you
might as well tell me yonder moon was treacherous and vile as to tell
me Daisy Brooks was aught but sweet and pure--you could not force me
to believe it."

"I do not attempt to force you to believe it. I have told you the
truth, as a loving sister might have done. None are so blind as those
who will not see," she said, toying with the jewels upon her white
fingers.

"Daisy Brooks is as pure as yonder lily," cried Rex, "and I love her
as I love my soul!"

His quivering, impassioned voice thrilled Pluma to her heart's core,
and she felt a keen regret that this wealth of love was withheld from
her own hungry heart. Rex had never appeared so noble, so handsome,
so well worth winning, in her eyes, as at that moment.

"I am sorry for you, Rex," sobbed Pluma, artfully burying her face in
her lace kerchief, "because she can never return your love; she does
not love you, Rex."

"Yes, she does love me," cried Rex. "I have settled it beyond a
doubt."

"She has settled it beyond a doubt--is not that what you mean, Rex?"
she asked, looking him squarely in the face, with a peculiar glitter
in her sparkling dark eyes.

"There is something you are keeping from me, Pluma," cried Rex,
seizing both of her hands, and gazing anxiously into the false, fair,
smiling, treacherous face. "You know where Daisy has gone--in Heaven's
name, tell me! I can not endure the suspense--do not torture me,
Pluma! I will forget you have spoken unkindly of poor little Daisy if
you will only tell me where she has gone."

"Sit down, Rex," she said, soothingly; "I will not dare tell you while
you look at me with such a gleaming light in your eyes. Promise not to
interrupt me t