im off the cliff
above the Hermit's Cave into the river. O'mie says it's safe; he's so
light he'll float."

Marjie smiled through her tears. A noise in the outer office reminded us
that some one was there, and that the outer door was half ajar. Then my
father came in. His face was kindly impenetrable.

"I had forgotten my son was here. Phil, take these papers over to the
county attorney's office. I'll call you later." He turned me out and
gave his attention to Marjie.

I loafed about the outer office until she and my father came out. He led
her to the doorway and down the steps with a courtesy he never forgot
toward women. When we were alone in his private office I longed to ask
Marjie's errand, but I knew my father too well.

"You wanted to see me, Phil?" He was seated opposite to me, his eyes
were looking steadily into mine, and clear beyond them down into my
soul.

"Yes, Father," I replied; "I am a man now--twenty-one years and one day
over. And there are a few things, as a man, I want to know and to have
you know."

He was sharpening a pencil carefully. "I'm listening," he said kindly.

"Well, Father--" I hesitated. It was so much harder to say than I had
thought it would be. I toyed with the tassel of the window cord
confusedly. "Father, you remember when you were twenty-one?"

"Yes, my son, I was just out of Harvard. And like you I had a father to
whom I went to tell him I was in love, just as you are. When your own
son comes to you some day, help him a little."

I felt a weight lifted from my mind. It was good of him to open the way.

"Father, I have never seen any other girl like Marjie."

"No, there isn't any--for you. But how about her?"

"I think, I know she--does care. I think--" I was making poor work of it
after all his help. "Well, she said she did, anyhow." I blurted out
defiantly.

"The court accepts the evidence," he remarked, and then more seriously
he went on: "My son, I am happy in your joy. I may have been a little
slow. There was much harmless coupling of her name with young
Tillhurst's while you were away. I did not give it much thought.
Letters from Rockport were also giving you and Rachel Melrose some
consideration. Rachel is an only child and pretty well fixed
financially."

"Oh, Father, I never gave her two thoughts."

"So the letters intimated, but added that the Melrose blood is
persistent, and that Rachel's mother was especially willing. She is of a
good family, old fri