, I am going to marry you. Not now, of course; I've got my way to
make first; but some day, if I live."

His teeth set in the determined fashion she had learned to know meant
unswerving purpose. She looked up, saw the expression of his face, and
for the instant forgot everything except her pride in him and her joy
that she should have awakened such feelings. Then she remembered other
things, things which she had spent many hours of many nights in debating
and considering. As he bent toward her she evaded him and rose.

"Don't, Crawford! Please!" she said again. "You mustn't say such things
to me. It isn't right that you should."

He looked puzzled. "Why not?" he asked. "At any rate, right or wrong, I
must say them, Mary. I've been holding them in for months and now I've
just got to say them. I love you and I want to marry you. May I?"

"Oh, no, Crawford! No! It is impossible."

"Impossible! Why? Is it--is it because you don't care for me? Don't you,
Mary?"

She did not answer.

"Don't you?" he repeated. "Look at me! Can't you care, Mary?"

She was silent. But when he took a step toward her she raised her hands
in protest.

"Please don't!" she pleaded. "No, you mustn't--we mustn't think--Oh, no,
it is impossible!"

"It isn't impossible. If you love me as I do you it is the only possible
thing in the world. Listen, dear--"

"Hush! I mustn't listen. Be sensible, Crawford! think! We are both so
young. You are only beginning your studies. It will be years before you
can--before you should consider marrying."

"But we can wait. I am willing to wait if you will only promise to wait
for me. I'll work--HOW I'll work!--and--"

"I know, but we both have others besides ourselves to consider. I have
my uncles. They have done everything for me. And you have your father.
Does he know--about me--about what you have just said to me?"

And now Crawford hesitated. Not long, but long enough for Mary to know
what the answer would be before it was spoken.

"He doesn't know," she said. "I thought not. Do you think he will
approve?"

"I hope he will. There is every reason why he should and absolutely none
why he shouldn't. Of course he'll approve; he's sensible."

"Yes, but he may have plans of his own for you, and your marrying
an Eastern girl may not be one of them. You have often told me how
prejudiced he is against the East and Eastern people. He may disapprove
strongly."

Crawford squared his shoulders. There was no