e made. Her question, coming so
close upon the heels of Dorinda's hints, upset me completely. Was it
written upon my face, for everyone to see? Did I look the incredible
idiot that I knew myself to be? For I did know it. In spite of my
determination not to admit it even in my innermost thoughts, I knew. I
was in love with Mabel Colton--madly, insanely, hopelessly in love with
her, and should be until my dying day. I had played with fire too long.

Before I could answer there came a knock at the door. It opened and
Dorinda's head appeared. She seemed, for her, excited.

"There's somebody to see you, Ros," she said. "You'd better come out
soon's you can. He's in a hurry."

"Someone to see me," I repeated. "Who is it?"

Dorinda glanced at Mother and then at me. She did not so much as
whisper, but her lips formed a name. I rose from my chair.

Mother looked at me and then at Dorinda.

"Who is it, Roscoe?" she asked.

"Just a caller on a business matter," I answered, hurriedly. "I'll be
out at once, Dorinda."

"But who is it, Roscoe?"

"It's Mr. Colton, Mother. He has probably come to--"

"Dorinda," Mother interrupted me, "ask Mr. Colton to come in here."

"But, Mother--"

"Ask him to come in here, Dorinda. I should like to meet him."

Dorinda hesitated, but when Mother spoke in that tone none of us
hesitated long. She disappeared. A moment later the door opened wide
and Colton entered. The sudden transition from sunlight to semidarkness
bewildered him for a moment, doubtless, for he stood there without
speaking. Dorinda, who had ushered him in, went out and closed the door.
I stepped forward.

"Good morning, Mr. Colton," I said, as calmly as I could. "You have
never met my mother, I think. Mother, this is Mr. Colton, our neighbor."

Colton turned toward the bed and murmured a few words. For once, I
think, he was startled out of his customary cool self-possession. And
when Mother spoke it seemed to me that she, too, was disturbed.

"Roscoe," she said, quickly, "will you draw that window-shade a little
more? The light is rather strong. Thank you. Mr. Colton, I am very glad
to meet you. I have heard of you often, of course, and I have met your
daughter. She has been very kind to me, in many ways. Won't you sit
down?"

I drew forward a chair. Our visitor accepted it.

"Thank you, Mrs. Paine," he said. "I will sit. To be honest, I'm very
glad of the opportunity. I have been under the doctor's care for the