e that for three thousand
dollars and my services they would give me ten thousand dollars' stock
interest, but insist that the man who assumes the responsibility of the
position must be financially interested as well. But I haven't the
money, and without the money my experience appears to them valueless. I
despair of getting another situation in these hard times and--Grace, you
don't look sorry."

"Because--" she paused, and her fine eyes roamed about her jealous of a
listener to her secret, but did not pierce the bush which rose up,
cloudy with blossoms, a few feet behind their bench--"because it is not
impossible for you to hope for those thousands. I think--I am sure that
I can get them for you."

Her voice had sunk to a whisper, but it was a very clear whisper.

Young Andrews looked at her in surprise; there was something besides
pleasure in that surprise.

"Where?" he asked.

She hesitated, and just at that moment the moon slipped behind a cloud.

"Where, Grace, can you get three thousand dollars? From Mr. Stoughton?
He is generous to you, he pays you well for what you do for him, but I
do not think he would give you that amount, nor do I think he would risk
it on any venture involving my judgment. I should not like to have you
ask him. I should like to rise feeling absolutely independent of Mr.
Stoughton."

"I never thought of asking him. There is another way. I'd--I'd like to
think it over. If your scheme is good--_very_ good, I might be brought
to aid you in the way my mind suggests. But I should want to be sure."

She was not looking at him now. If she had been, she might have been
startled at his expression. Nor could he see her face; she had turned it
aside.

"Grace," he prayed, "don't do anything rash. You handle so much money
that three thousand dollars may seem very little to you. But it's a
goodly sum to get or to replace if one loses it. You must not
borrow----"

"I will not borrow."

"Nor raise it in any way without telling me the sacrifice you must make
to obtain it. But it's all a dream; tell me that it's all a dream; you
were talking from your wishes, not from any certainty you have. Say so,
and I will not be disappointed. I do not want _your_ money; I'd rather
go poor and wait till the times change. Don't you see? I'd be more of a
man."

"But you'd have to take it if I gave it to you, and--perhaps I shall. I
want to see you happy, Philip; I must see you happy. I'd be willing to
risk