w. Of course it was
absurd--even though she appreciated the honor. But she did not finish
the sentence that way. "I don't--oh, it's simply impossible. I
couldn't think of such a thing."

"Why not?" he asked. "I love you. You know that--you can see it,
can't you?" He leaned a little nearer, and forced her to meet his
gaze. "I can make you happy; I can make you love me. I can give you
all that a woman could ask."

"Yes, but--"

He interrupted her quickly. "Perhaps I've surprised and confused you
by my impulsiveness," he continued. "But I've had no chance to meet
you socially. Sitting here in the office, seeing you day after day,
I've had to hold myself in check. And a man only does that so long,
and no longer. Perhaps right now you don't feel as I do, but I can
teach you to feel that way. I can give you everything--money, social
position, everything that's worth having--and love. I'm not an
empty-headed boy. I can make you love me."

"You couldn't," Hazel answered flatly. There was a note of dominance
in that last statement that jarred on her. Mr. Bush was too sure of
his powers. "And I have no desire to experiment with my feelings as
you suggest--not for all the wealth and social position in the world.
I would have to love a man to think of marrying him--and I do. But you
aren't the man. I appreciate the compliment of your offer, and I'm
sorry to hurt you, but I can't marry you."

He released her hand. Miss Weir found herself suddenly shaky. Not
that she was afraid, or had any cause for fear, but the nervous tension
somehow relaxed when she finished speaking so frankly.

His face clouded. "You are engaged?"

"Yes."

He got up and stood over her. "To some self-centered cub--some puny
egotist in his twenties, who'll make you a slave to his needs and
whims, and discard you for another woman when you've worn out your
youth and beauty," he cried. "But you won't marry him. I won't let
you!"

Miss Weir rose. "I think I shall go home," she said steadily.

"You shall do nothing of the sort! There is no sense in your running
away from me and giving rise to gossip--which will hurt yourself only."

"I am not running away, but I can't stay here and listen to such things
from you. It's impossible, under the circumstances, for me to continue
working here, so I may as well go now."

Bush stepped past her and snapped the latch on the office door. "I
shan't permit it," he said passionately.