ul Gerelda
Northrup. Of all subjects, the only one which he would not discuss with
his mother was the future of Jessie Bain.

She had on one occasion asked him, with seeming carelessness, how long
he intended to care for this girl who was an utter stranger to him, and
suggested that, since she would not go to school, his responsibility
ought to cease.

"I have bound myself to look after her until she is eighteen," he
answered.

"I want to have a little talk with you, Hubert, on that subject," she
said. "Will you listen to me a few moments?"

"As many as you like, mother," he answered.

"I want to ask you if you have ever thought over what a wrong step you
are taking in giving this girl a taste of a life she can never expect to
continue after she leaves here?"

"You should be glad that she has a little sunshine, mother."

"It is wrong to place a girl in a brilliant sunshine for a few brief
days, and then plunge her into gloom for the rest of her life."

"She has not been plunged into gloom yet, mother."

"If she could marry well while she is with us, it would be a great thing
for her," went on Mrs. Varrick.

"Don't you think she is rather young yet? What is your opinion about
that, mother?"

"It is best for a poor girl to marry as soon as a good offer presents
itself, I believe. I have been thinking deeply upon this subject, for I
have noticed that there is a young man who seems to be quite smitten
with the charms of Jessie Bain."

Her handsome son flushed to the roots of his dark-brown hair, and he
laughed confusedly as he said:

"Why, how very sharp you are, mother! I did not know that you noticed
it."

"Of course he is not rich," continued Mrs. Varrick, "but still, even a
struggling young architect would be a good match for her. She might do
worse."

"Why, what in the world do you mean, mother?" cried Hubert Varrick.
"What are you talking about?"

"Why, my dear son, have you been blind to what has been going on for the
last fortnight?" she returned, with seeming carelessness. "Haven't you
noticed that the young architect who is drawing the plans for the new
western wing of our house is in love with your _protegee_?"

She never forgot the expression of her son's face; it was livid and
white as death. This betrayed his secret. He loved Jessie Bain himself!

CHAPTER VIII.

A MOTHER'S DESPERATE SCHEME.

"What makes you think the young architect is in love with Jessie Bain,
mother? I thi