ndure of the world's malice and gossip and
criticism, never entered Geraldine's mind at all.

"If he is in love with you," she repeated, "it settles it, I think. What
else is there to do but marry him?"

Kathleen shook her head. "I shall do what is best for him--whatever that
may be."

"You won't make him unhappy, I suppose?" inquired Geraldine, astonished.

"Dear, a woman may be truer to the man she loves--and kinder--by
refusing him. Is not that what _you_ have done--for Duane's sake?"

Geraldine sprang to her feet, face white, mouth distorted with anger:

"I made a god of Duane!" she broke out breathlessly. "Everything that
was in me--everything that was decent and unselfish and pure-minded
dominated me when I found I loved him. So I would not listen to my own
desire for him, I would not let him risk a terrible unhappiness until I
could go to him as clean and well and straight and unafraid as he could
wish!" She laughed bitterly, and laid her hands on her breast. "Look at
me, Kathleen! I am quite as decent as this god of mine. Why should I
worry over the chances he takes when I have chances enough to take in
marrying him? I was stupid to be so conscientious--I behaved like a
hysterical schoolgirl--or a silly communicant--making him my confessor!
A girl is a perfect fool to make a god out of a man. I made one out of
Duane; and he acted like one. It nearly ended me, but, after all, he is
no worse than I. Whoever it was who said that decency is only depravity
afraid, is right. I _am_ depraved; I _am_ afraid. I'm afraid that I
cannot control myself, for one thing; and I'm afraid of being unhappy
for life if I don't marry Duane. And I'm going to, and let him take his
chances!"

Kathleen, very pale, said: "That is selfishness--if you do it."

"Are not men selfish? He will not tell me as much of his life as I have
told him of mine. I have told him everything. How do I know what risk I
run? Yes--I do know; I take the risk of marrying a man notorious for his
facility with women. And he lets me take that risk. Why should I not let
him risk something?"

The girl seemed strangely excited; her quick breathing and bright,
unsteady eyes betrayed the nervous tension of the last few days. She
said feverishly:

"There is a lot of nonsense talked about self-sacrifice and love; about
the beauties of abnegation and martyrdom, but, Kathleen, if I shall ever
need him at all, I need him now. I'm afraid to be alone any longer; I'm