nion thoughtfully.
Seashell colors ebbed from her face and left it almost pale.

"Thank you for reminding me," she said. "There is another bit of
information I think you should have. You'll probably think me bold,
forward, and the rest of it; I can't help that; you need the knowledge."

Francis Charles groaned.

"For my good, of course. Funny how anything that's good for us is always
disagreeable. Well, let's have it!"

"It may not be of the slightest consequence to you," began Mary, slightly
confused. "And perhaps you know all about it--any old gossip could tell
you. It's a wonder if they haven't; you've been here two weeks."

Boland made a wry face.

"I see! Exports?"

Mary nodded, and her brave eyes drooped a little.

"Abingdon's finest export--in my opinion, at least--went to Arizona.
And--and he's in trouble, Mr. Boland; else I might not have told you
this. But it seemed so horrid of me--when he's in such dreadful trouble.
So, now you know."

"Arizona?" said Boland. "Why, there's where--Excuse me; I didn't mean to
pry."

"Yes, Stanley Mitchell. Only that you stick in your shell, like a turtle,
you'd have heard before now that we were engaged. Are engaged. And you
mustn't say a word. No one knows about the trouble--not even his uncle.
I've trusted you, Mr. Boland."

"See here, Miss Selden--I'm really not a bad sort. If I can be of any
use--here am I. And I lived in the Southwest four years, too--West
Texas and New Mexico. Best time I ever had! So I wouldn't be absolutely
helpless out there. And I'm my own man--foot-loose. So, if you can use
me--for this thing seems to be serious--"

"Serious!" said Mary. "Serious! I can't tell you now. I shouldn't have
told you even this much. Go now, Mr. Boland. And if we--if I see where I
can use you--that was your word--I'll use you. But you are to keep away
from me unless I send for you. Suppose Stan heard now what some gossip or
other might very well write to him--that 'Mary Selden walked home every
night with a fascinating Francis Charles Boland'?"

"Tell him about me, yourself--touching lightly on my fascinations,"
advised Boland. "And tell him why you tell him. Plain speaking is always
the best way."

"It is," said Mary. "I'll do that very thing this night. I think I like
you, Mr. Boland. Thank you--and good-bye!"

"Good-bye!" said Boland, touching her hand.

He looked after her as she went.

"Plucky little devil!" he said. "Level and straight and squar