end of our castle in the
air. Daisy Brooks has just the face to attract a handsome, debonair
young fellow like Rex."

"You can depend upon it he shall never see her," said Bess, decidedly.
"Where there's a will there's a way."

"I have never been actually jealous of anyone before," said Gertie,
flushing furiously, as she acknowledged the fact; "but that Daisy has
such a way of attracting people toward her they quite forget your
presence when she is around. 'When one rival leaves the field, another
one is sure to come to the fore.' That's a true saying," said Gertie,
meditatively. "You see, he did not marry the heiress of Whitestone
Hall. So he is still in the market, to be captured by some lucky
girl."

"Well, if I am the lucky one, you must forgive me, Gertie. All is fair
in love and war, you know. Besides, his wealth is too tempting to see
slip quietly by without a struggle."

Before she could reply Eve popped in through the long French window
that opened out on the porch.

"Oh, I'm so tired of hearing you two talk of lovers and riches!" she
cried, throwing herself down on the sofa. "I do hate to hear love
weighed against riches, as if it were a purchasable article. According
to your ideas, if a fellow was worth a hundred thousand, you would
love him moderately; but if he was worth half a million, you could
afford to love him immensely."

"You have got a sensible idea of the matter," said Bess, coolly.

"For shame!" cried Eve, in a hot fury. "It's an actual sin to talk in
that way. If a handsome young man loves you, and you love him, why,
you ought to marry him if he hadn't a dollar in the world!"

Gertie and the worldly-wise Bess laughed at their younger sister's
enthusiasm.

"Now, there's Rex Lyon, for instance," persisted Eve, absolutely
refusing to be silenced. "I would wager a box of the best kid gloves
either one of you would marry him to-morrow, if he were to ask you, if
he hadn't a penny in his pocket."

"Pshaw!" reiterated Gertie, and Bess murmured something about absurd
ideas; but nevertheless both sisters were blushing furiously to the
very roots of their hair. They well knew in their hearts what she said
was perfectly true.

"Eve," said Bess, laying her hand coaxingly on the young rebel's arm,
"Gertie and I want you to promise us something. Come, now, consent
that you will do as we wish, that's a good girl."

"How can I promise before I know what you want?" said Eve, petulantly.
"You might