n. "I do not see a trick
in giving a person exactly what they ask for a thing--whether they realize
the true value of it, or not. That is their affair. In Law, the Judge says
there is no excuse or cause, for mitigating a sentence because the
prisoner claims he was ignorant of consequences of a deed. So it is in
other lines: Ignorance can never claim excuse from consequences--whether
it be a sale of a candle-stick or a piece of old land that turns out to
have gold on it."

"Then I should say, ignorance on the part of the buyers at this vendue,
exonerates the dealer from all blame," said Eleanor.

"Legally it does, but we were thinking of the moral," explained Mrs.
Fabian.

When the collectors reached the Fabian house, Jack seemed loath to go on,
so Mrs. Fabian invited him in to have a bite with them at an informal
dinner.

It had been plainly evident for some time, that the only interest Jack
Baxter had taken in furnishing his apartment, or in going about to hunt
out old antiques, was because it gave him plenty of opportunities to be
with Polly. And as is often the case, when one is completely absorbed in
a pursuit, Polly was the last one to suspect the truth of this.

But he forgot discretion that evening, at dinner, and permitted too much
of his attention to be directed Polly's way. Even this might have been
overlooked had not an interruption occurred while at the table.

The telephone bell was heard, and shortly afterward, the maid came around
to Polly's side and said:

"A Mr. Latimer on the wire, Miss Polly."

Eleanor was all interest at once: "Can it be Jim, or Tom, I wonder?"

Polly was excusing herself at the moment, but turned to add: "You know
very well that Tom has his hands full at the mines."

Eleanor flushed, for she had almost given away a secret that Paul had
told her in his last letter. Thus far she had kept quiet about the
confidence.

Polly ran from the room, and Jack Baxter scowled at his plate. Mr. Fabian
smiled at his face and tried to engage him in conversation. But Polly's
continued absence annoyed the youth, so that he lost his appetite, and,
in fact, all interest in any subject started.

Polly skipped back after a time, her face wreathed in smiles. "You will
never guess who I was talking to?"

Everyone but Jack pretended not to know, but he blurted out: "When I was
out at the ranch, that Tom Latimer said something about coming East for
the Winter months--as long as Alexander propo