olent before June."

"Sorry," said Mr. Blagdon, "because I've a string of ponies that are
eating their heads off. I'd be delighted to mount you."

But Mister Masters smiled with unusual crookedness and stammered his
thanks and his regrets. And so that thread came to nothing.

The spider attempted three more threads; but little Miss Blythe looked
serenely up.

"I never saw such a fellow as you, Bob," said she, "for putting other
people under obligations. When I think of the weight of my personal ones
I shudder." She smiled innocently and looked up into his face. "When
people can't pay their debts they have to go through bankruptcy, don't
they? And then their debts all have to be forgiven."

Mr. Blagdon felt as if an icy cold hand had been suddenly laid upon the
most sensitive part of his back; but his expression underwent no change.
His slow eyes continued to look into the beautiful, brightly colored
face that was turned up to him.

"Very honorable bankrupts," said he carelessly, "always pay what they
can on the dollar."

Presently he strolled away, easy and nonchalant; but inwardly he carried
a load of dread and he saw clearly that he must learn where he stood
with little Miss Blythe, or not know the feeling of easiness from one
day to the next. Better, he thought, to be the recipient of a painful
and undeserved ultimatum, than to breakfast, lunch, and dine with
uncertainty.

The next day, there being some dozens of people almost in earshot, Mr.
Blagdon had an opportunity to speak to little Miss Blythe. Under the
circumstances, the last thing she expected was a declaration; they were
in full view of everybody; anybody might stroll up and interrupt. So
what Mr. Blagdon had to say came to her with something the effect of
sudden thunder from a clear sky.

"Phyllis," said he, "you have been looking about you since you were
seventeen. Will I do?"

"Oh, Bob!" she protested.

"I have tried to do," said he, not without a fine ring of manliness.
"Have I made good?"

She smiled bravely and looked as nonchalant as possible; but her heart
was beating heavily.

"I've liked being good friends--_so_ much," she said. "Don't spoil it."

"I tell her," said he, "that in all the world there is only the one
girl--only the one. And she says--Don't spoil it.'"

"Bob----"

"I will _make_ you happy," he said.... "Has it never entered your dear
head that some time you must give me an answer?"

She nodded her dear head, for