n confronted each other helplessly, silently, and then Lans
Treadwell, overcome by sudden remorse, and a kind of fear, strove to
propitiate the sternness that found no expression in words.

"I've been devilishly wrong, Sand, and returned your hospitality and
friendship with bad grace, old fellow, but I drifted into it and when
it was too late--I did what seemed the only decent thing. I know I
couldn't have explained, and she turned my senses by her sweetness.
She's like a baby, Morley, and I mean to--to do the right by her, as
God hears me!"

Treadwell used the name of God so frequently and ardently that it
sickened Sandy.

"Yes," he groaned, "you will do right by her or----" the dark eyes
flashed dangerously; "and you'll do right by her--in my way!"

This was unfortunate and Sandy saw his mistake. Lans Treadwell's
shoulders straightened and his jaw set in ugly lines.

"If it's going to be man to man, Sand," he muttered, "I reckon I've got
the whip hand. She's my wife, you know, and the laws of this nice
little state are pretty explicit along certain lines. When all's said
and done--what are you, as a man, mind you, going to do about it?"

Again the staggering doubt was like a weapon for Sandy's use, but he
hesitated still.

"I--I wonder if you know what you have done?" he groaned again.

"When you talk like that, Sand," Lans whispered, his face softening, "I
don't! And I implore you to help me."

"You don't know our South, our Hollow," Sandy went on, with a pitiful
tone in his unsteady voice. "It takes us so long to--wake up! It's
something in the air, the sun, the winters--the life. Cynthia has not
roused--she is only dreaming in her sleep. She's a child, a little
girl, and you have dragged her into----"

"Hold on, Sand!" Lans warned once more.

"I have been waiting"--Sandy did not seem to heed the caution--"I've
been waiting and watching for the hour when she would realize that she
was a woman. I've loved her all my life, worshipped her, but I would
not have startled her before her time to have saved my soul from death!
Had she realized, Treadwell--had things been open and fair, I would
have taken my chance--but--you!"

Again the blaze darted to Treadwell's eyes.

"And what do you insinuate?" he asked--but he got no farther. There
was the sound of quick, approaching steps outside and a moment later a
sharp knock on the door; Sandy strode forward and opened it, then
closed it upon Marcia Low