past which would prevent our love, or mar
it. I didn't realize that you knew what you were saying. I feared that I
had no right to love you after your father had spoken as he did of my
parentage."

With intense anticipation he held out his hands, but she drew away.

"Not now. I did not understand what Father's obligation to you would
involve."

"Elizabeth, dear, do you mean you won't forgive me?"

"I have nothing to forgive in you, Mack." In her eyes was a return of
the warmth of love she felt, but her attitude was one of firm resolve.
"I have come to you to-day because I want to tell you that just for the
present we must be only good friends. I've been thinking all night long
about you, and now that you know who you are, and what my father has
done against your father----"

"But that is all past!"

"Not for me. Father ruined your father, and has grown rich on your
money. Not till every cent of that is paid back can I think of marrying
you." There was the weight of dead finality in every word.

"But, Elizabeth----"

"Please, Mack, don't make it harder for me than you must. This is not
easy, but you will see where it is best, when you have taken time to
think it over."

"You have not talked this over with your father, or with Harold?"

"No. Father was ill last night, and Harold was so tired that he has been
sleeping all day. It would make no difference what either of them might
say. I am doing this because it is right."

"You do not know of the arrangements that are to be made?"

"All I know is that Father owes you the money, and that it is yours and
must be paid back to you."

"Elizabeth, there are papers to be drawn up, and----"

"Mack, please don't! I'm tired, and can't stand much. Don't try to
change my decision."

"But those papers which Harold is to draw up must alter that decision.
That is the only ground on which I shall accept the terms. Your father
is to be given all the time he needs to pay me back. At first I flatly
refused. I didn't want to take any of his money. But Uncle Josiah made
me see that it was the only thing to do."

"Of course, it is the only thing to do. You are going to let Harold
draft those papers because Father must give up what does not belong to
him."

"I'll not permit one stroke of the pen unless----"

"But, Mack, you must! This is your duty to make Father----"

"Elizabeth, dear, it is not your father's money I want. All that means
nothing to me. I am consenting to