fairly well satisfied with the
results achieved. Madeline, however, did not share his satisfaction.

"But Dad sent you to his tailor," she said. "Why in the world didn't you
order your evening clothes there? And Brett has the most stunning ties.
Every one says so. Instead you buy yours at a department store. Now
why?"

He smiled. "My dear girl," he said, "your father's tailor estimated
that he might make me a very passable dress suit for one hundred and
seventy-five dollars. Brett's ties were stunning, just as you say, but
the prices ranged from five to eight dollars, which was more stunning
still. For a young person from the country out of a job, which is my
condition at present, such things may be looked at but not handled. I
can't afford them."

She tossed her head. "What nonsense!" she exclaimed. "You're not out of
a job, as you call it. You are a writer and a famous writer. You have
written one book and you are going to write more. Besides, you must have
made heaps of money from The Lances. Every one has been reading it."

When he told her the amount of his royalty check she expressed the
opinion that the publisher must have cheated. It ought to have been ever
and ever so much more than that. Such wonderful poems!

The next day she went to Brett's and purchased a half dozen of the most
expensive ties, which she presented to him forthwith.

"There!" she demanded. "Aren't those nicer than the ones you bought at
that old department store? Well, then!"

"But, Madeline, I must not let you buy my ties."

"Why not? It isn't such an unheard-of thing for an engaged girl to give
her fiance a necktie."

"That isn't the idea. I should have bought ties like those myself, but I
couldn't afford them. Now for you to--"

"Nonsense! You talk as if you were a beggar. Don't be so silly."

"But, Madeline--"

"Stop! I don't want to hear it."

She rose and went out of the room. She looked as if she were on the
verge of tears. He felt obliged to accept the gift, but he disliked the
principle of the things as much as ever. When she returned she was very
talkative and gay and chatted all through luncheon. The subject of the
ties was not mentioned again by either of them. He was glad he had not
told her that his new dress suit was ready-made.

While in France, awaiting his return home, he had purchased a ring
and sent it to her. She was wearing it, of course. Compared with other
articles of jewelry which she wore from time t