ld forgive you."

"I couldn't cheat him that way," he replied with some heat. "Besides
you had broken with me. I knew he hated your uncle--but I thought if
he knew you"----

"He would have," she said, "if you had given him a chance."

"I told him I could make my living--a living for both if you would have
me," he confessed.

"Playing ball?" Her tone was bitter. "And you had an idea you would
come East and make your fortune and come back and claim me?"

"I did have some such idea when I left," he confessed. "It wasn't
until I was broke and unable to find work that I realized how hopeless
it was to think of you."

"I couldn't bear being poor, Larry," the girl spoke with some feeling.

"We were poor once. Be sensible. Go back home and make up with Mr.
Lawrence--and when I return"----

"I am making a good salary," he said steadily. "I can support two. If
you care enough"----

"I couldn't marry a mere ball player," she said, shrugging with disdain.

"You used to like it when I played at the ranch and at college," he
retorted angrily.

"That was different," she argued. "There you were a hero--but here you
are a mere professional."

"But you attend games," he protested.

"I had to to-day. I am on my way to visit Uncle Barney for the summer,
and his friend insisted upon taking us to the game."

"Oh, see here, Helen," he protested. "He's your uncle, but everyone
knows he is crooked in politics and in business. Why do you accept his
money?"

"He is very good to me--and I cannot bear to be poor again."

"Then you will not"----

"Be reasonable, Larry," she interrupted. '"You know I cannot marry a
poor man."

"Then it was only the money you cared for," he said bitterly. "Uncle
Jim said it was, and I quarreled with him for saying it--and it was
true."

"You put it coarsely," she said coldly. "You cannot expect me to give
up the luxuries Uncle Barney provides for me and marry a ball player.
Unless you make it up with your uncle I shall consider myself free."

A stifled exclamation, like a gasp of surprise, startled them, and a
rustle of retreating garments in the adjoining parlor caused McCarthy
to step quickly to the doorway. He was just in time to recognize the
gown. He realized that Betty Tabor had overheard part of the
conversation, and he wondered how much.

"Some eavesdropper, I suppose," Miss Baldwin remarked carelessly.

"She came by accident, probably to read, and departed as soo