him. She would not
wait to give him the book, she would share the precious secret with him
this very day; it might be like a new marriage sacrament between them.

Then came the realization of Martin's joy at her fulfilment. She hurried
to the telephone and called his club, leaving an urgent message for him
to come to her if he should come back to town during the day.

She ran upstairs again to Baby, and explained it to him, every step of
the long way to now. She laughed and made merry as she talked and Baby
gurgled his appreciation. Then they discussed the future. She built up
dreams of success and fame that rivalled even the visions that had come
to Baby on his journey out of nowhere to here.

She heard the bell ring below and she flew downstairs, reaching the door
almost as soon as Anna, in the hope that it was Martin.

"Oh, Jerry, I thought you were Martin!" she exclaimed.

"Sorry to be such a disappointment."

"Oh, you're not; I want to see you, too."

"Much obliged."

He went into the studio and she followed.

"I'm sorry I've irritated you Jerry, but I'm terribly excited, and not
quite myself."

"What's happened?" quickly.

"The biggest thing that ever happened to me--next to Baby."

"You're in love with Christiansen!"

"Jerry, you foolish thing, no! It's something I've done."

"Go on. I'm prepared for the worst. Have you gambled away all our money,
or have you killed somebody?"

She faced him, her eyes anxiously seeking his.

"Jerry, it's a serious thing. I've wanted to tell you for a long time;
it may make a big difference in our life together."

"Jane, what is all this?" he demanded curtly.

CHAPTER XXVI

Jerry sat down on the couch, by the fire, and Jane stood looking down at
him. She was trembling at the excitement of the moment.

"We haven't talked much of our inner selves, Jerry, and it's a little
hard to begin--especially as this goes away back to the beginning of the
time I came to the studio. Did you ever wonder why I took the work you
offered?"

He nodded. She interested him now. She stood in that still way of hers,
with the folds of her dull, blue gown hanging straight and close. Her
cheeks were flushed, her eyes shining; she was like a crystal ball which
centred all the light and feeling in the room.

"I had to make a living so that I could go on with my real work, so I
took the first thing that offered."

"What was your real work, Jane?"

"Writing. I always had a