u sitting there like an old marmot for on a rock pile?
Why don't you join in the festivities?"

For all the rudeness of Harold's speech, Bill answered quietly. "Not
feeling very festive to-night. And if I were you--I'd go easy on too
much of that. You're out of practice, you know."

"Yes--thanks to you. At least, before I came here I lived where I
could get a drink when I wanted it, not in a Sunday-school."

Virginia suddenly leaned forward. "Where did you live before you came
here, Harold?" she asked.

There was a sudden, unmistakable contempt in her voice.

XXX

Harold caught the note of scorn in Virginia's voice, and he had an
instant of sobriety. He looked at her with eager eyes. The poison in
his veins had enhanced her beauty to him; his eyes leapt quickly over her
slender form. It would pay to be careful, he thought. He didn't want
to lose her now. But in an instant his reckless mood returned.

"Where I lived? What do you care, as long as I'm here? I suppose Bill
has already told you, the dirty----"

"Don't say it," Virginia cautioned quickly. "I wouldn't answer for the
consequences."

But for all her brave words, terror swept her. She remembered that Bill
was helpless and blind. "Bill has told me nothing. It wouldn't be like
him to tell me things--that might make me unhappy."

"Sing another little song about him, why don't you?" Harold scorned.
"I haven't heard you talk anything else for a month. But what do I
care?" He tried to steady himself, to control his erring tongue. "But,
Virginia--that's all right, if he's one of your friends. He's good
enough according to his lights--but you can't expect much from some
one who's never been outside these tall woods! No wonder he couldn't
see a joke, or take a drink with a gentleman. He hasn't the chances,
the environment--that's it, environment--that you and I have had.
And speaking of drinks----"

He went to the table again and poured his cup half full. Then with
unsteady hand he poured an equal portion for the two Indians. They took
their cups with burning eyes, and Harold raised his own drink aloft.

"A little toast--and everybody stand up," he cried. "We're going to
drink to Virginia! To my future wife, gentleman--the lady who's
promised me her hand! Look at her there, you breeds--the most
beautiful woman that ever came to the North! Drink her down!"

The burning poison poured into their throats. Virginia glanced again