hat was enough to pump the blood to my face with a rush. It was an
insult--a shame, first hand. A shoddy plaster, applied to me--to me, Frank
Beeson, a gentleman, whether to be viewed as a plucked greenhorn or not.
With cheeks twitching I managed to read the lines accompanying the dole:

Sir:

You would not permit me to explain to you to-night, therefore I must
write. The recent affair was a mistake. I had no intention that you
should lose, and I supposed you were in more funds. I insist upon
speaking with you. You shall not go away in this fashion. You will
find me at the Elite Cafe, at a table, at ten o'clock in the morning.
And in case you are a little short I beg of you to make use of the
enclosed, with my best wishes and apologies. You may take it as a
loan; I do not care as to that. I am utterly miserable.

E.
To Frank Beeson, Esquire.

Faugh! Had there been a sewer near I believe that I should have thrown the
whole enclosure in, and spat. But half unconsciously wadding both money
and paper in my hand as if to squeeze the last drop of rancor from them I
swung on, seeing blindly, ready to trample under foot any last obstacle to
my passage out.

Then, in the deserted way, from a lane among the straggling shacks, a
figure issued. I disregarded it, only to hear it pattering behind me and
its voice:

"Mr. Beeson! Wait! Please wait."

I had to turn about to avoid the further degradation of acting the churl
to her, an inferior. And as I had suspected, she it was, arriving
breathless and cloak inwrapped, only her white face showing.

"You have my note?" she panted.

There were dark half circles under her eyes, pinch lines about her mouth,
all her face was wildly strained. She simulated distress very well
indeed.

"Here it is, and your money. Take them." And I thrust my unclosed fist at
her.

"No! And you were going? You didn't intend to reply?"

"Certainly not. I am done with you, and with Benton, madam. Good-morning.
I have business."

She caught at my sleeve.

"You are angry. I don't blame you, but you have time to talk with me and
you shall talk." She spoke almost fiercely. "I demand it, sir. If not at
the cafe, then here and now. Will you stand aside, please, where the whole
town shan't see us; or do you wish me to follow you on? I'm risking
already, but I'll risk more."

I sullenly stepped aside, around the