ne it without you. Oh, Sheila, you've been the making of me! What a
girl you are!--what a woman! _You'd_ always back a man up in his
undertakings--if you loved him--wouldn't you?"

"Oh--if I loved him!--" And she looked past him with dreamy eyes. She
had never looked like that before, though love had been named to her by
others and in more persuasive language. To back up a man in his
undertakings--because she loved him-- Why, that would be _life_!

Ted had never had the superfine discernment of natures more delicately
wrought than his, but he had the discernment of sex--as all young and
healthy creatures have. He saw her dreaming look, and he knew
something of the kindred thought.

"Sheila"--and his voice was less sure and bold--"Sheila, have you ever
been in love? Is there--anybody else?"

"No," she answered simply. And she drew her gaze down from the stars
to his upturned face. That which was in her eyes made him catch his
breath and close his own for an instant; but she was unaware of the
shining thing he had seen--the soul, not only of one woman, just
awakening, but of all womanhood, at once innocent and passionate, brave
and piteous. He had not needed any subtlety to perceive that--so frank
and beautiful was its betrayal.

"Sheila"--and he fixed his eyes upon her now--"Sheila, maybe the town
does need me--as you said when I first came back. I'll do my best to
make it need me. Because--because I want to earn the right to a home.
I want to be able to--marry!"

"To--_marry_?" she whispered.

He leaned forward and laid his hands upon her wrists--importunate hands
that sent the blood swirling through her veins.

"Oh, Sheila--don't you understand? _I_ need _you_!"

For a moment the world swayed around her. Her heart was beating, not
in her bosom, but in her throat--up, up to her dry and quivering lips.
To back up a man in his undertakings--because she loved him!--that was
what Ted was asking her to do for him--to do for him always. Yes--and
that was life!

Then, slowly, the world grew still once more; the night wind blew down
the fragrance of climbing roses; again she heard the familiar
refrain--"Weep no mo', my lady! Oh, weep no mo' to-day!"--and now it
seemed tender with the tenderness of insistent and protective love.

And all the while Ted's hands were on her wrists, silently imploring.
This was life! Oh, she would never weep again--never again in her joy!

"Sheila?"

She bent towar