y, "I
am sorry. May I remark that I don't see why you come, then?"

"I can tell you," said Jeff, and he advanced upon her where she sat so
abruptly that she started and shrank back in her chair. "I come because
you've got brains, and you're the only girl that has--here." They were
Alan's words, almost his words, and for an instant she thought of her
brother, end wondered what he would think of this jay's praising her
in his terms. "Because," Jeff went on, "you've got more sense and
nonsense--than all the women here put together. Because it's better
than a play to hear you talk--and act; and because you're graceful--and
fascinating, and chic, and--Good-night, Miss Lynde."

He put out his hand, but she did not take it as she rose haughtily.
"We've said good-night once. I prefer to say good-bye this time. I'm
sure you will understand why after this I cannot see you again." She
seemed to examine him for the effect of these words upon him before she
went on.

"No, I don't understand," he answered, coolly; "but it isn't necessary
I should; and I'm quite willing to say good-bye, if you prefer. You
haven't been so frank with me as I have with you; but that doesn't make
any difference; perhaps you never meant to be, or couldn't be, if you
meant. Good-bye." He bowed and turned toward the door.

She fluttered between him and it. "I wish to know what you accuse me
of!"

"I? Nothing."

"You imply that I have been unjust toward you."

"Oh no!"

"And I can't let you go till you prove it."

"Prove to a woman that--Will you let me pass?"

"No!" She spread her slender arms across the doorway.

"Oh, very well!" Jeff took her hands and put them both in the hold of
one of his large, strong bands. Then, with the contact, it came to him,
from a varied experience of girls in his rustic past, that this young
lady, who was nothing but a girl after all, was playing her comedy with
a certain purpose, however little she might know it or own it. He put
his other large, strong hand upon her waist, and pulled her to him and
kissed her. Another sort of man, no matter what he had believed of her,
would have felt his act a sacrilege then and there. Jeff only knew
that she had not made the faintest straggle against him; she had even
trembled toward him, and he brutally exulted in the belief that he had
done what she wished, whether it was what she meant or not.

She, for her part, realized that she had been kissed as once she had
happened