urself about with the old
conventions and imagine you're safe--and you are--until you meet HIM!"

"I'll know how to behave--never fear."

"You mean you'll know how instantly to blindfold, halter and lead him to
the Little Church Around the Corner?"

Mary moved uneasily.

"And what else should I do with him?"

"Compare him with other men. Weigh him in the balances of a remorseless
common-sense. Study him under a microscope and keep your reason clear.
The girl who rushes into marriage in a great city under the conditions
in which you and I live is a fool. More girls are ruined in New York
by marriage than by any other process. The thunderbolt out of the blue
hasn't struck you yet, but when it does----"

"I'll tell you, Jane."

"Will you, honestly?"

The question was asked with wistful tenderness.

"I promise. And you mustn't think I don't appreciate this visit and the
chance you've given again to enter the `big world' you're always telling
me about. I just can't do it, dear. It's not my world."

"All right, my little foolish virgin, have it your own way. When you're
lonely, run up to my studio to see me. I won't ask you to pose or meet
any of the dangerous men of my circle. We'll lock the doors and have a
snug time all by ourselves."

"I'll remember."

The clock in the Metropolitan Tower chimed the hour of five, and Jane
Anderson rose with a quick, business-like movement.

"Don't hurry," Mary protested. "I know I've been stubborn, but I've
been so happy in your coming. I do get lonely--frightfully lonely,
sometimes--don't think I'm ungrateful----"

"You're dangerously beautiful, child," the artist said, with enthusiasm.
"And remember that I love you--no matter how silly you are--good-by."

"You won't stay for a cup of tea? I meant to ask you an hour ago."

"No, I've an engagement with a dreadful man whom I've no idea of ever
marrying. I'm going to dinner with him--just to study the animal at dose
range."

With a jolly laugh and quick, firm step she was gone.

Mary snatched the kitten from his snug bed between the pillows of the
window-seat and pressed his fuzzy head under her chin.

"She tempted us terribly, Kitty darling, but we didn't let her find
out--did we? You know deep down in your cat's soul that I was just dying
to meet the distinguished Gordon--but such high honors are not for home
bodies like you and me----"

She dropped on the seat and closed her eyes for a long time. The kitten
watch