s that he is doing well in his profession. I chose him
because he was an ambitious youngster and I thought I could get more
careful attention from him than I could from some of the older fellows
who had made their reputation. You see, there are such a lot of things I
want to know about in this building proposition, and the last four years
haven't been a time for any man to be careful about saving his money."

"Then," said Linda, "he is all right, of course. He must be. But I think
I'm like a cat. I'm very complacent with certain people, but when I
begin to get goose flesh and hair prickles my head a bit, I realize that
there is something antagonistic around, something for me to beware of. I
guess it's because I am such a wild creature."

"Do you mean to say," said Peter, "that these are the sensations that
Henry gives you?"

Linda nodded.

"Now forget Henry," she said. "I have had such a big day I must tell
you about it, and then we'll come to that last article you left me.
I haven't had time to put anything on paper concerning it yet, but I
believe I have an awfully good idea in the paint pot, and I'll find time
in a day or two to work it out. Peter, I have just come from the bank,
where I was recognized as of legal age, and my guardian discharged. And
perhaps I ought to explain to you, Peter, that your friend, John Gilman,
is not here because this night is going to be a bad one for him. When
you knew him best he was engaged, or should have been, to Marian Thorne.
When you met him this time he really was engaged to Eileen. I don't
know what you think about Eileen. I don't feel like influencing anyone's
thought concerning her, so I'll merely say that today has confirmed a
conviction that always has been in my heart. Katy could tell you that
long ago I said to her that I did not believe Eileen was my sister.
Today has brought me the knowledge and proof positive that she is not,
and today she has gone to some wealthy relatives of her mother in San
Francisco. She expressed her contempt for what she was giving up by
leaving everything, including the exquisite little necklace of pearls
which has been a daily part of her since she owned them. I may be
mistaken, but intuition tells me that with the pearls and the wardrobe
she has also discarded John Gilman. I think your friend will be
suffering tonight quite as deeply as my friend suffered when John
abandoned her at a time when she had lost everything else in life but
her