prosperous property out there than I do. I'll let you find it out to the
last limit. But when you come back you must promise me never to take
another such notion. I won't stand this foolishness forever. I'll give
you plenty of money to get there. You can write me when you need funds
to come back. It won't take long to get that letter here."

"And if I shouldn't come?" Jerry asked, calmly.

"Look what you are giving up. All this beautiful home, to say nothing of
the town house--and Eugene--and other property."

"No, no; you don't count him as your property, do you?" Jerry cried,
turning to the young artist, whose face was very pale.

"Jerry, must you make this sacrifice?" he asked, in a voice of
tenderness.

"It isn't a sacrifice; it's just what I want to do," Jerry declared,
lightly.

Jerusha Darby's face darkened. The effect of a long and absolute
exercise of will, coupled with ample means, can make the same kind of a
tyrant out of a Kaiser and a rich aunt. The determination to have her
own way in this matter, as she had had in all other matters, became at
once an unbreakable purpose in her. She wanted to keep fast hold of
these young people for her own sake, not for theirs. For a little while
she sat measuring the two with her narrow, searching eyes.

"I can manage him best," she concluded to herself. At last she asked,
plaintively, "With all you have here, Jerry, why do you go hunting
opportunities in Kansas?"

"Because I want to," Jerry replied, and her aunt knew that, so far as
Jerry was concerned, everything was settled.

"Then we'll drop the matter here. I can wait for you to come to your
senses. Eugene, if you can give her up, when you've always been chums, I
certainly can."

With these words Mrs. Darby rose and passed out, leaving the two alone
under the rose-colored lights of the richly furnished parlor.

It was not like Jerusha Darby to make such a concession, and Jerry Swaim
knew it, but Eugene Wellington, who was of alien blood, did not know it.

The room was much more beautiful without her presence; and her sordid
hinting at the Darby wealth which Jerry must count on, and Eugene must
meekly help to guard for future gain, rasped harshly against their
souls, for they were young and more sentimental than practical. Left
alone to their youth, and strength, and nobler ideals, they vowed that
night to hold to better things. Together they builded a dream of a
rainbow-tinted world which they were go