was difficult to account for what happened to Cynthia Walden at that
critical time. It all happened so quickly, so breathlessly. The child
in the girl was flattered, amused and uplifted by Lans Treadwell. He
was so gay, so captivating. He taught her to play on Marcia Lowe's
mandolin, and when he discovered how splendidly and sweetly she could
sing the plaintive songs of her hills and the melodies of the old
plantation days, he was enraptured and gave such praise as turned
Cynthia's head and filled Marcia Lowe with delight.

"You little genius!" Lans exclaimed one day; "try to dance, too. You
look like a spirit of the hills."

Then Cynthia danced and danced and forgot Sandy away among his
buildings; forgot his grim determination and serious manner. It was
song and dance for Cynthia, and the little doctor looking on, charmed
by the turn their dull life had taken, saw no danger. To her Cynthia
was a child still, and she was grateful that she should have this bit
of brightness and joy in her narrow, drab-coloured life.

The arrested elements in Cynthia grew apace and with abnormal force.
Through Lans Treadwell she realized all the froth and sunshine girlhood
craves--she forgot Sandy because at that moment he held no part in the
gay drama that was set to music and song. And then, quite naturally,
too, the woman in the girl pleaded for recognition. Here was a man who
appreciated her; would accept her as she was, although he asked no
questions of her, regarding her poor little past. He talked splendidly
of the big vital things of life which Cynthia thrilled at, but could
not express in word or thought. Oh! it was most sure that Lans
Treadwell would never care what had brought her into being--it was the
woman! Sandy might do a big thing from duty; Lans would do big things
because with him duty was but love of--humanity! Cynthia did not know
much about humanity and Lans never said he loved her--but it came upon
the girl all at once one day that she--she, little Cynthia Walden, was
needed, desperately, sufferingly needed by a great-souled man to help
in saving Lost Hollow! How magnificent! Sandy meant to save The
Hollow alone and single-handed--Sandy was limited, that was Lans's
modest interpretation--but Treadwell had his vision, too, and his
vision included her! It was breath-taking and alluring.

Treadwell did not make any physical or emotional claims upon the
girl--something led him dangerously, but wisely