He colored; his breaks were coming too thickly.

They wandered down the lawn-walk to the gate, and there Nelson bade her
good-night by shaking hands. He knew she would be in the bank next
day, but handshakes are always in order after nine o'clock p.m.

As he walked along Mt. Alban's quietest and prettiest street toward the
bank a peculiar sense of loneliness and guilt possessed him. He
suggested to himself that he only regarded Julia as a friend, and that
knowing people like the Waterseas was necessary to his success as a
banker. Of course he intended to pay his way along; he would always
give Julia candy and take her out, in return for her kindness to him.
The thought that he might be involving her in one of those attachments
more easily made than broken did not enter Evan's head. He was too
inexperienced to worry over such matters. Others were too experienced.

Telepathic waves reached him from Hometon. He saw Frankie's face
clearly outlined inside the Little Dipper. He remembered his words to
her, words containing a promise. Yes, indeed, he would be true--

But still he felt the warmth of Julia's hand. Why had he taken it in
his, and why had he felt buoyant when she blushed?

He was vaguely conscious of a conflict in his heart. Yet he swore to
himself that everything would be all right. Young men are usually
quite sure that nothing unpleasant can come of anything.

Bill Watson was sitting in the manager's office when Evan entered. He
greeted the savings man with a puff of smoke followed by no words.

"Something new for you to be in so early, Bill," said Evan.

Bill opened his mouth in the shape of a cave, and kept the white smoke
revolving within it--like some sort of mysterious and legendary white
fleece.

"How did she like the chocolates?" he said suddenly.

"They seemed to go all right."

Bill puffed a while.

"Shame to blow good coin like that," he said, musingly.

"Why?"

"Well, when a fellow thinks of the blots he makes earning a bean he
should be gentle with it."

Nelson laughed derisively.

"You're not getting economical, are you, Bill?"

"No, but, I'm sore on myself to-night. About once a month I take a
night off to repent."

Evan pinched his pal's knee-cap.

"A fellow can't be a piker, Bill," he said, with the air of a
profligate young millionaire escapading in the columns of the press.
"You can't go to parties and things without spending money."

Watson looked at his d