d, a rather negligent parent, chiefly concerned
with its ward's fortune, and hastened to say defensively,--"We placed
you with an excellent woman,"--Adelle had placed herself, but it made no
difference,--"one in whom we have every confidence not only as a
teacher, but also as a friend and guide." Even Adelle smiled broadly at
this description of Pussy. "But all our care has been in vain: you have
put us now where we cannot help you further!"

Adelle lowered her eyes, but felt happier--the sermon was coming to an
end.

"It is useless for me to continue, however. It rests with you alone,
with you and your husband,"--he pronounced the term with infinite
scorn,--"to prove that your rash choice is not what it seems,--the end
of your career, the end of your happiness. And it rests with you, sir,"
he added severely, looking over at Archie, "to prove that you are man
enough to be a kind husband to the girl who has married you under such
circumstances. I sincerely hope that your future will be better than
your act promises!"

Here was another opening for the kick, but Archie failed to grasp it. He
took his cue from Adelle and maintained a sulky silence.

"There remains but one more thing for me to speak of, Mrs. Davis, and
that is your property, of which the trust company must continue guardian
for nearly two years more until you become of age and the company is
released from its guardianship by the court."

The couple pricked up their ears with relief at the mention of property.

"You have shown yourself to be prodigal in expenditure," Mr. Smith
remarked, pulling from his pocket a card with a list of figures. "This
past year you drew very nearly if not quite thirty-eight thousand
dollars,--altogether too much money, I should say, for a young woman to
spend safely."

"It was the cars and the Nile trip," Adelle murmured.

"Fortunately it happens to be well within the income of your estate, and
so I suppose I cannot raise objections except upon moral grounds. It is
too much money for any woman to spend wisely!"

Mr. Smith apparently had positive convictions on this subject. Adelle
did not seem to care what he thought a woman could spend wisely.

"And so I propose that for the remainder of the time while you are
nominally under our guardianship the trust company shall allow you--" He
paused as if debating the figure with himself, and Archie unconsciously
walked a couple of steps nearer the others. Alas! It drew Mr. Smith