ed to be defending himself to Jane, while she conducted the
interview.

"You don't dislike me, do you?" he asked.

"No. But I think we would better keep sentiment out of the matter, don't
you? It is, after all, a business arrangement, of so much for so much."

"I thought maybe you were hurt because I did not protest some affection
for you."

"Oh, not at all."

"I'm afraid I've done it very badly."

"No, on the whole, I think you've done it very well. The main thing is
that we should both understand perfectly. My contention is that I
understand it better than you do."

"I understand that you do not think much of me or the idea," he said
impatiently.

"On the contrary, I think highly of both. I only suggest that you ought
to know more about my ideas and ambitions."

"I'll take them on faith, Jane, if you will take me so."

She hesitated a moment; her heart was suffocating her. Here was her
chance, here was the open road to experience, possibly romance. Should
she enter? Dared she risk so much on one throw? Christiansen's words
came to her: "Come, child, let's be about your living."

"Thank you, Mr. Paxton, I will marry you," she said to Jerry.

"Good. I hope you may never regret it," he answered earnestly.

"I hope the same for you," she flashed back at him.

"When will you--when shall we do it?"

"Whenever you like."

"To-day, now. Let's get it over so I, so we, can settle down. Will you
marry me to-day, Jane?"

She gasped, then spoke quietly.

"I am ready."

"Good! That's what I like about you, Jane, no shilly-shallying, just
going straight after things."

"Will you remember that if you find me going after things you do not
approve of?" she smiled.

"Let's go get a license. Do you mind a justice-of-the-peace ceremony?"

"No; I prefer it."

"Bully for you. Where's my hat?"

"In the bedroom closet."

"How the deuce did it get in there?"

"I put it there. You kicked it under the couch when you were inspecting
the pictures this morning."

"Was that this morning? It seems years ago," he said. "Jane, you won't
make me keep my hat in that closet, will you?" he asked, when he came
back with hat, stick, and gloves.

"I shall not marry you to reform you," she answered.

"Come on, then, if you're ready."

They went to the City Hall, talking of all kinds of irrelevant things.
They were an incongruous-looking pair, the striking, smartly dressed
man, and his working girl companion.

"I suppo