ession. He spoke his
thoughts directly and forcibly. He was never enthusiastic, never
demonstrative, never warm or impulsive, but definite, well-ordered,
positive. It was quite true that he was capable of bestowing service to
the point of heroism when the occasion required, but such a quality was
not spontaneous, because his heart, while intensely sympathetic,
appeared cold and absolutely opposed to any sort of outburst. He was too
prudent, too wise, too thoughtful, it seemed, acting only when sure of
his ground, turning aside from all obstacles liable to irritate or
confuse him.

Then John Anderson came and initiated her into a newer world. He
appeared to worship her, and tried to make her feel his devotion in his
every act. He was gallant, dignified, charming, lavishing attention upon
her to the point of prodigality. He said things which were pleasant to
hear, and equally as pleasant to remember. What girl would not be
attracted by such engaging personal qualities; but Marjorie decided that
he was too much of the Prince Charming whose gentle arts proved to be
his sole weapons for the major encounters of life.

Hence she was not fascinated by his soft accomplishments. He interested
her, but she readily perceived that there was not in him that real
depth which she had found in Stephen. True, he made her feel more like a
superior being than as a mere equal; he yielded ever to her slightest
whim, and did not discomfort her with weighty arguments. But her acumen
was such that she was enabled to penetrate the gloss and appraise the
man at his true value. The years spent at her mother's knee, the
numberless hours in her father's shop where she came in contact with
many men, her own temperament, prudent by nature, enabled her to
perceive at a glance the contrast between a man of great and noble heart
clothed in severe garments, and the charlatan garbed in the bright
finery of festal dress.

And now the boomerang against which she was defending herself struck her
from a most unexpected angle. That Stephen should misunderstand her
motives was preposterous; yet there was no other inference to be drawn
from the tone of his conversation during the few distressful minutes of
his last visit. In all probability, he had gone away laboring under the
hateful impression that she was untrue, that she had permitted her heart
to be taken captive by the first knight errant who had entered the
lists. And what was more, the subject would ne