y interested in me then I
shall lose interest in him." Still, the game was worth playing out.

They turned in at the little shaded lane which offers a short cut to the
hotel, but instead of entering the hallway Cosden stopped and indicated
the steps leading down to the tennis-courts.

"Would you mind having a very personal conversation with me down there?"
he asked with so much significance in his voice that Edith became almost
agitated.

"I'd love to sit down for a moment," she assented. "I've been walking so
long that I could take that bench in my arms and hug it."

"I'm in a quandary," Cosden began without preliminaries as soon as Edith
had adjusted herself where she would appear to best advantage. "I have
an idea that you can help me out."

"First aid to the wounded is right in my line," Edith assured him
helpfully.

Even with the inspiration which expectancy on the part of an audience is
always supposed to give a speaker, Cosden's fluency became somewhat
modified when he actually touched upon his main topic.

"I'm a peculiar sort of man, I've no doubt--"

"I wouldn't give a snap of my finger for a man who didn't possess
individuality," she interrupted emphatically.

"Well, perhaps it is more than individuality. Men seem to understand me
all right, but I've never had a sister, and I've been too tied down by
my business to cultivate women. I'm a man's man--I suppose that about
expresses it."

"That's a good recommendation; look at my brother,--he's a lady's man.
Would you change individualities with Ricky?"

"Perhaps not," Cosden said guardedly; "still in this matter your brother
could probably give me a pointer or two.--Hang it all! when I talk to a
man I don't have any difficulty in making myself understood, but here I
am, floundering round with you like a school-boy!"

"Just imagine for the moment that I am a man and that you are talking to
me about some one else--"

"That's it exactly; I knew you would understand. I thought Monty would
help me out, but he absolutely refuses to take me seriously. The truth
of the matter is that I've decided to get married."

Even with the preparation given her by Huntington's remarks Cosden's
statement came with an abruptness which surprised Edith into a becoming
flutter. Her eyes fell for the moment and she could feel a flush come
into her face. Knowing how some men admire the combination of blue eyes
and rosy cheeks she hastened to look up, but was disappointed