ncy.

Her caller was not blind to the excitement which showed in Alice's face,
and the formalities were scarcely over before he asked the question
which brought a violent color to the girl's cheeks.

"So it's come, has it--just as I said it would?"

"What has come?" Alice busied herself with the teacups which the butler
had already placed on the little table in front of her, and appeared to
be mystified, though she knew well what he meant.

"That doesn't surprise me any," Allen continued, "but I really didn't
think it would set you up so much when it did strike."

"I suppose you are enjoying this monologue," she replied. "Don't mind me
if it gives you any pleasure."

"Look here, Alice"--he became desperate--"why can't we talk it over
without having to jump all these high hurdles? I know you don't care
anything about me, and you know that I can't see anything in life worth
while except you, so the situation is clear on both sides. But I can't
let that four-flusher pull the wool over your eyes without saying,
'Beware of the dog.' I shouldn't be a man if I did."

"You take advantage of our friendship," she said, severely; "but there
are limits beyond which even an old friend cannot go, and you've reached
them. Mr. Covington is a friend too; I don't admit that he is more than
this, but I shan't let you say unfair things about him any more than I
should listen to similar things about you. Come now, let's drop the
subject. How many lumps will you have?"

"Two lumps, and--no lemon, please."

"You say you wouldn't be a man if you didn't warn me," the girl went on;
"but it is because you are not that you talk as you do. You find me
agreeable, and, boy-like, think you want to marry me. Pat thinks she
wants to marry you--you are both children, and both behave the same."

Allen put his cup down on the table untasted. "Is there no way I can
convince you that I've grown up?" he demanded.

"Yes; drop all this nonsense about me, and make yourself a place in the
world as Mr. Covington has done."

"Never!" he almost shouted. "You don't know how he's made his place, or
you wouldn't say that. Do you want me to climb up by stepping all over
those who have helped me, to play double with every one I meet, to
crisscross even on the man who trusts me most, and finally try to cinch
my position by marrying his daughter? If that's your idea of being a
man, I'll tell you right now, not for mine."

Alice rose, with flaming face. "I to