reconceived prejudice against the ordinary feminine
member of "The Profession" had, during his intercourse with Cap'n Abe's
niece, been lulled to sleep. Miss Louder and Miss Noyes more nearly
embodied his conception of actresses--nice enough young women, perhaps,
but entirely different from Louise Grayling.

Lawford forgave the latter for befooling him in the matter of her
condition in life; indeed, he realized that he had deceived himself.
He had accepted the gossip of the natives--Milt Baker was its
originator, he remembered--as true, and so had believed Louise Grayling
was connected with the moving picture company.

Her social position made no difference to him. At first sight Lawford
Tapp had told himself she was the most charming woman he had ever seen.

For a college graduate of twenty-four he was, though unaware of the
fact, rather unsophisticated regarding women.

He had given but slight attention to girls. Perhaps they interested
him so little because of his three sisters.

He remembered now that he and Dot Johnson had been pretty good "pals"
before he had gone to college, and while Dot was still in middy blouse
and wore her hair in plaits.

Now, as he walked along the beach and thought of the daughter of his
father's partner, he groaned. He, as well as the women of the family,
knew well the Taffy King's obstinacy.

His streak of determination had enabled I. Tapp to reach the pinnacle
of business wealth and influence. When he wanted a thing he went after
it, and he got it!

If his father was really determined that Lawford should marry Dot
Johnson, and her parents were willing, the young man had an almost
uncanny feeling that the candy manufacturer's purpose would be
accomplished.

And yet Lawford knew that such was a coward-nature feeling. Why should
he give up the only thing he had ever really wanted in life--so it
seemed to him now--because of any third person's obstinacy?

"Of course, she won't have me anyway," an inner voice told him. And,
after a time, Lawford realized that that, too, was his coward-nature
speaking.

On the other hand: "Why should I give her up? Further, why should I
marry Dot Johnson against my will, whether I can get Louise Grayling or
not?"

This thought electrified him. His easy-going, placid disposition had
made a coward of him. In his heart and soul he was now ready to fight
for what he desired. It was now not merely the question of winning
Louise's love.