ering himself. "It's a fine morning for that," he continued with
decision.

"You've been doing better lately, Monty," Cosden complimented him. "At
first I didn't think you were going to help me out at all, but for some
time now you've been putting yourself right into it, just as I wanted
you to. What have you to say about the girl now? She's all right, isn't
she?"

"You don't mean that you're still serious in that direction--"

"Of course I am. Why should you think I had changed my mind?" Cosden
interrupted. "I don't often do that, do I?"

"But you have hardly seen her."

"I've been biding my time, Monty, that's all, while Miss Stevens coached
me up a bit. It's really a great game,--there's more to it than I
thought."

"You are absolutely unsuited to each other."

"Why, Monty, I believe you're jealous!"

"Well, suppose I am?"

Cosden showed his amusement. "I would take that as a challenge from any
one but an old cynic like you," he laughed.

Huntington failed to enter into Cosden's lightheartedness. "This is a
serious matter, Connie," he insisted. "That little girl is too fine to
have her name bandied like this. I give you warning right here that I
step down and out on this proposition. I can't imagine a worse crime
than to harness a high-strung, thoughtful, sentimental child like that
to a human adding-machine like you, and I won't be a party to it."

The younger man realized at last that his friend was serious. He looked
at him soberly for a moment, then he placed his hand on his shoulder.

"Is this all our friendship amounts to?" he asked.

"It is the greatest act of friendship I have ever been called upon to
show you," Huntington returned. "You would be as wretched with her as
she with you. I felt sure that you had come to the same conclusion, and
I admired your good sense."

"Is there by any chance some deeper reason?" Cosden demanded pointedly.

"No, Connie," Huntington replied quickly; "don't be ridiculous! I am
just as unsuited to her as you are. Why, I'm old enough to be her
father! But somewhere there is a man who is meant for her and who is
worthy of her, and I only hope that he will appear before any one
persuades her into making a mistake.

"Don't you think her capable of taking care of that herself?"

"Frankly, I do. I don't think you have the remotest chance of
interesting her."

"What has happened to lower me so in your estimation?" Cosden persisted,
puzzled rather than resentful.