kisses and
caresses as never before, while he watched the fire, and talked as to
a mere acquaintance, and seemed sad and far away? Or did she merely
imagine that? Only one thing could she be sure of at that moment, and it
was that pride would never be her ally.

"Glenn, look here," she said, sliding her chair close to his and holding
out her left hand, slim and white, with its glittering diamond on the
third finger.

He took her hand in his and pressed it, and smiled at her. "Yes, Carley,
it's a beautiful, soft little hand. But I think I'd like it better if it
were strong and brown, and coarse on the inside--from useful work."

"Like Flo Hutter's?" queried Carley.

"Yes."

Carley looked proudly into his eyes. "People are born in different
stations. I respect your little Western friend, Glenn, but could I wash
and sweep, milk cows and chop wood, and all that sort of thing?"

"I suppose you couldn't," he admitted, with a blunt little laugh.

"Would you want me to?" she asked.

"Well, that's hard to say," he replied, knitting his brows. "I hardly
know. I think it depends on you.... But if you did do such work wouldn't
you be happier?"

"Happier! Why Glenn, I'd be miserable!... But listen. It wasn't my
beautiful and useless hand I wanted you to see. It was my engagement
ring."

"Oh!--Well?" he went on, slowly.

"I've never had it off since you left New York," she said, softly.
"You gave it to me four years ago. Do you remember? It was on my
twenty-second birthday. You said it would take two months' salary to pay
the bill."

"It sure did," he retorted, with a hint of humor.

"Glenn, during the war it was not so--so very hard to wear this ring as
an engagement ring should be worn," said Carley, growing more earnest.
"But after the war--especially after your departure West it was terribly
hard to be true to the significance of this betrothal ring. There was a
let-down in all women. Oh, no one need tell me! There was. And men were
affected by that and the chaotic condition of the times. New York was
wild during the year of your absence. Prohibition was a joke.--Well, I
gadded, danced, dressed, drank, smoked, motored, just the same as
the other women in our crowd. Something drove me to. I never rested.
Excitement seemed to be happiness--Glenn, I am not making any plea
to excuse all that. But I want you to know--how under trying
circumstances--I was absolutely true to you. Understand me. I mean true
as regards l