feel respect for herself. At heart Laura was not a bad girl.
She was weak and luxury loving, and, when tempted, had been unable to
resist entering into a style of living which suited her own peculiar
tastes. She had paid the price with a light heart, but as she grew
older she was becoming wiser. She realized what an awful price she was
paying for her fun. She knew that, with the sacrifice of her chastity,
she had surrendered everything a self-respecting woman holds dear, all
for what--a few glittering trinkets! In what was she better than a
common wanton? And what would her end be, but the end of all women of
her kind? When her youth had passed and her beauty had faded, her
admirers would grow cold and indifferent. Abandoned by all, friendless
and homeless, she would go unwept to an early grave.

The thought was one to fill her with horror. Why not try to save
herself now, while there was yet time? She still had a chance. A
drowning man will grasp even at a straw. She was not irretrievably
lost. The devil might still be cheated of a victim. This man believed
in her; he offered to make her his honored wife. He forgave the past
and held out a generous hand to save her. A revulsion of feeling
suddenly shook the girl to the innermost recesses of her being. Burying
her face in her pillow, she burst into a flood of tears. For the first
time in her life, her better instincts were awakened.

She would show the world that it had misjudged her, that she was not as
bad as she seemed. Her future life, her future conduct should redeem
all that had gone before. Perhaps the Almighty would be merciful and
hold out a forgiving hand. She might still be a happy, decent woman.
With a prayer on her lips, she dropped down on her knees. The
following-day this telegram flashed over the wires to New York:

"Theatre closes next Saturday night. You needn't come for me. Am
invited to spend a week with a lady at Colorado Spring's. Will
return to New York alone.

LAURA."

A few hours later this message was received in reply:

"Am compelled to go to Kansas City on business, so will pick you up
anyhow. Leave address at Denver hotel.

WILL."

CHAPTER V.

Mrs. Williams' ranch house at Colorado Springs was universally admitted
to be a show place even among the many magnificent summer residences
with which this fashionable resort is dotted. Perched high on the side
of the famous Ute Pass, a wildly picturesqu