Say that I have an important message
for her and no one knows that I have come."

"Yes, Sir." The woman hesitated. "I'm thinking you've made a mistake
and got hold of the wrong Miss Abercrombie, but I'll find out."

In a moment, however, there was a rustle of silk on the narrow stairs
and Willa entered. Her eyes sought his in a defensive, questioning
stare as she held out her hand.

"Your visit is a surprise, Winnie. I thought--I was not aware that any
of my friends knew where I was."

"No one does but me. I followed your chauffeur. Please, don't be
angry! I was so afraid I should lose you; that you would return to
Limasito before I had an opportunity to see you, that I was desperate."

"Why should you want to see me?" Willa demanded, frankly. "I don't
mean to be ungracious, Winnie, we've grown to be awfully good friends
in these two months, but I've been through so much just lately that the
Willa Murdaugh episode seems far away, and all the people I knew then
are like dream people. I--I'm starting in all over again, you see, and
I meant to do it with a clean, blank sheet."

"But surely you don't mean to put us all behind you? Our friendship,
our admiration, all the happy times we've had together--oh, Willa, you
can't drop it all like this!" he stammered. "You can't go back now,
you belong to us!"

She smiled.

"You're very good to say so, Winnie, but remember I'm not Willa any
more! My place is gone, or rather it never was mine. I do believe in
your friendship, but how many of the rest bothered with me because of
myself alone? It was the Murdaugh position they accepted, the Murdaugh
interests. I'm not cynical, but I try to look things squarely in the
face. How many would admit within their circle the waif adopted by a
gambler?"

Winnie drew a deep breath.

"Then why not make a place for yourself, or rather step into one which
is waiting for you? It doesn't carry the prestige of the Murdaugh name
or money, but it's solid and substantial and assured, and all that love
can bring to make for happiness goes with it, too. Why don't you marry
me, dear?"

Willa started up in unutterable amazement. The mild round face of the
boy before her seemed all at once to have taken on a deeper, more
mature expression, strengthening and ennobling it, and a wistful light
which there was no mistaking glowed in his eyes.

"Winnie!"

"Oh, I know it sounds silly and presumptuous of me! You've known real