e on
the profits of what I think is wrong. If it weren't for that ... Jack,
I'd marry you if you were a pauper--and thank God for the chance."

He faced her doggedly. "I'm not a pauper. I've fought for my share of
the spoils. You've been brought up in a hot-house. Out in the world a
man wins because he's strong. Do you think it's all been play with me?
By God, no! I've ridden night herd in a blizzard when the temperature
was below zero. I've done my shift on the twelfth level of the Never
Quit many a month. I've mushed in Alaska and fought against Castro in
Venezuela. Do you think I'm going to give up my stake now I've won it at
last?"

She looked at him tremulously. "I don't ask you to give it up. You'll
have to decide that for yourself."

"Don't you see I _can't_ give it up? If I do, I lose you. How can I take
care of you without money?"

"I'd do my best, Jack."

"You don't understand. It would be for years--until I had made another
start. I wouldn't let you give up everything unless I had something to
offer. I wouldn't consider it."

"Isn't that putting pride before love, Jack? You know I have a little
money of my own. We could live--in very decent poverty. I would love to
feel that we were fighting ... together. We both know you'll win in the
end. Wouldn't it be fine to work out your success in partnership? Dear,
I'd _rather_ marry you while you're still a poor man."

For a moment the vision of it tempted him, but he put the dream away.
"No. It won't do. Of course I'm going to win out in the end, but it
might take a dozen years to set me on Easy street. For a woman brought
up as you have been poverty is hell."

"Then you think I'm only a doll," she flashed. "You want to put me back
in that hot-house you mentioned. I'm just an ornament to dress up and
look at and play with."

"I think you're a little tinder-box," he said, smiling ruefully.

"Don't you see how it is with me, Jack? I've always craved life. I've
wanted to take hold of it with both hands and without gloves. But they
would never let me. I've got my chance now ... if you really love me
more than you do your pride and your money. I want to live close to the
people--as you do."

"What did that suit cost you?" he asked abruptly.

"Don't remember. Twenty-five pounds, maybe. Why?"

"One hundred twenty dollars, say. And you need dozens of dresses in a
season. I'll make a guess that it takes five thousand a year to clothe
you. That is nearly twic