t it will rise."

[Illustration: MARTHA FARNUM (ELSIE JANIS)]

Martha looked at him in simple amazement. "Nonsense," she replied. "The
curtain will rise in a few minutes."

"It will when you say the word, provided it suits me also."

"What do you mean?" Martha's voice expressed curiosity only.

"The time is short, so I will speak plainly," said Gordon, tensely. "I
have purposely waited until the last moment so you could see both sides
of the picture. On the one hand, here are you, Martha Farnum, about to
make your actual appearance as a star at a Broadway theater. In six
months or less you have been transformed from a simple country girl to a
position often denied those who struggle for many years. Who do you
think has accomplished all this for you? Who is making you a star
to-night?"

"Why--why, Mr. Weldon, of course," replied Martha, slightly bewildered.
"Who else?"

Gordon laughed with just the suggestion of a sneer.

"I am," he said coldly.

"You? Impossible!" Martha rose in amazement.

"For three months I have made it possible for you to have everything a
woman can want," continued Gordon, calmly, coming to her. "To-night the
climax is reached when you make your appearance as a star--if you
appear. While you have thought your natural talents were receiving just
recognition, I have been paying the bills."

"And if what you say is true--all true--what then?" Martha gazed at him
blankly, as though dazed.

"This. What I have done, I have done because of my admiration for you.
Up to this moment I have asked nothing in return, but now I do."

"Return? You mean--?"

"You're not such a fool as you'd have me think. What of the handsome
apartment you are living in, furnished by Mr. Weldon and supposed to be
paid for out of the salary you are to receive? Do you think Mr. Weldon
really paid the rent? No, my dear. I did."

"No, no, no--I don't believe it," cried Martha, shrinking from him.
"It's incredible."

"I don't care a rap for the money I have spent," cried Gordon, following
her. "I'd give it ten times over if you only loved me."

"Loved you?" repeated Martha, scornfully. "How can you--"

"Don't say no too hastily, Martha. I think I care more for you than I
ever did for any one else. I'll make you happy. There's nothing that my
money won't do or can't do. We can go around the world together--to
Paris, Vienna, India, Japan, anywhere you like." He came nearer.
"Martha, in all the time I have known and