ks flaming. "If you really
cared you wouldn't say it."

"I only want to know where I stand," he replied with sudden dignity.
"If you'll tell me that, I will be satisfied--for to-night."

Her mood changed in a flash. "That sounds better, but, Jimmy, must you
know to-night? It's hard for me to tell you."

"Why?" he demanded. He wanted his answer, fraught with whatever fate.

"Because I don't just know myself," she said softly. "I wonder if I
can explain. I am fond of you, Jimmy, more than you know, but I want
to be fair to you and I want to be fair to myself as well. Have you
never been in a state in which you were conscious that the world was
full of things you had dreamed of but never expected to find actually?"

He stared at her with the swift intuition that there had been a season
not long ago when he felt just like this. But now he was getting used
to it.

"Yes," his voice was quite steady, "I know what you mean."

"It's that way with me now, and I'm just finding out about myself."
Her eyes were fixed on the white line of the rapids. "I don't know
what sort of a woman I'm going to be,--that sounds queer but it's true.
I'm going to want something more than love," she added under her breath.

Belding did not stir and there drifted down to them the deep, hollow
monotone that pervades St. Marys when the wind comes in from the west.
The young man scanned the innumerable lights beside the rapids,--he
could place each one of them. Then slowly the moon came up with a soft
gleam that laid a silver path across the river and touched the girl
into an unearthly beauty.

"I want you, Elsie," he pleaded.

She looked at him with eyes like stars. "Perhaps I want you, Jimmy,"
she breathed, "but I don't know yet. Supposing I said 'yes' and then
it was all wrong--for each of us?"

"You said you asked for more than love; perhaps I have no more--in your
mind."

Clark's name was hammering in his brain, but he kept it down.

Followed a little silence. "Do you want to do something for me?" she
said presently. Her lips were tremulous.

"I've always wanted that."

"Then give me time to find myself--I'm trying hard now."

Belding moved restlessly. "I'm afraid that some one else will find
you."

She glanced at him startled. "If that happens, Jimmy, it means that I
haven't spoilt your life."

"I want you to spoil it."

"You haven't answered my question; will you give me time?"

Belding got up, put his han