She kneaded a tiny handkerchief nervously in her fingers.

"You know how nice Madam Winklestein's been to me lately--bought me new
clothes, given me trinkets. Well, there's a reason--she's got her eye on
a man for me."

I gave an exclamation of surprise.

"Yes; you know she's let us go together--it's all to draw him on. Oh,
couldn't you see it? Didn't you suspect something? You don't know how
bitterly they hate you."

I bit my lip.

"Who's the man?"

"Jack Locasto."

I started.

"Have you heard of him?" she asked. "He's got a million-dollar claim on
Bonanza."

Had I heard of him! Who had not heard of Black Jack, his spectacular
poker plays, his meteoric rise, his theatric display?

"Of course he's married," she went on, "but that doesn't matter up here.
There's such a thing as a Klondike marriage, and they say he behaves
well to his discarded mis----"

"Berna!" angry and aghast, I had stopped her. "Never let me hear you
utter that word. Even to say it seems pollution."

She laughed harshly, bitterly.

"What's this whole life but pollution?... Well, anyway, he wants me."

"But you wouldn't, surely you wouldn't?"

She turned on me fiercely.

"What do you take me for? Surely you know me better than that. Oh, you
almost make me hate you."

Suddenly she pressed the little handkerchief to her eyes. She fell to
sobbing convulsively. Vainly I tried to soothe her, whispering:

"Oh, my dear, tell me all about it. I'm sorry, girl, I'm sorry."

She ceased crying. She went on in her fierce, excited way.

"He came to the restaurant in Bennett. He used to watch me a lot. His
eyes were always following me. I was afraid. I trembled when I served
him. He liked to see me tremble, it gave him a feeling of power. Then he
took to giving me presents, a diamond ring, a heart-shaped locket,
costly gifts. I wanted to return them, but she wouldn't let me, took
them from me, put them away. Then he and she had long talks. I know it
was all about me. That was why I came to you that night and begged you
to marry me--to save me from him. Now it's gone from bad to worse. The
net's closing round me in spite of my flutterings."

"But he can't get you against your will," I cried.

"No! no! but he'll never give up. He'll try so long as I resist him. I'm
nice to him just to humour him and gain time. I can't tell you how much
I fear him. They say he always gets his way with women. He's masterly
and relentless. There's a cold, sn