looked,
she was still resting, the tired lines of her face less noticeable. I
had no heart to awaken her, and remained motionless, thinking it all
over carefully in detail.

We remained undisturbed, our settee removed from the main pathway,
along which a few early workmen passed. She was the very one to act
the part of Philip Henley's wife, if she would consent. Her
refinement, the clear innocence of her face, would be convincing, and I
began already to long for her company. Yet she would have to be told
every detail, convinced the apparent fraud was justifiable. I rather
dreaded the look in her eyes when she first heard the proposal, and her
questioning me. While I still hesitated, fearful of refusal, the sun
shining upon her face awoke her suddenly. She straightened up
instantly, but her eyes smiled as they met mine.

"I was asleep," she said in surprise. "For how long?"

"Nearly two hours."

"And you have sat there quietly all that time?"

"That is nothing. I was tired, but not sleepy. Besides, I had so much
to think about."

"You mean regarding what you shall do with me," and she arose to her
feet. "It is time now I did something for myself."

"Wait, please," and I extended my hand, almost forcing her back upon
the settee. "Let me say a word first before you decide to go. All I
told you last night about myself is true, with one exception. I have
money, and profitable work in view--see!" and I held before her the two
bills.

She gazed at them with wide-open eyes, half convinced of some
legerdemain.

"A thousand dollars," she exclaimed bewildered. "_You_! why, what does
it all mean?"

"Yes, and nine thousand more promised, when I complete work that ought
not to require to exceed two months. I was not without money in the
restaurant, only I could not ask the cashier to change so large a bill.
Sit down again, please, and let me tell you the story."

She did so, almost reluctantly, as though doubting my sanity, but I
could note a change in the expression of her face as I proceeded. I
told it slowly, carefully, pausing to explain each detail to her
questioning, yet was not interrupted more than once or twice. Somehow,
as I thus repeated the proposed scheme to another it did not appear
quite as easy, or honorable, as when I faced it alone. However, I
struggled through, painting the affair as well as I could, but without
daring to propose her cooperation. Her wide-open eyes on my face gave