tly did he step that he was
beside her before she recognised the fact. Then she shrank away from him
in terror.

"Kathleen," he said, "I've tried to forget you, but I can't. I came here
to-night to ask you to come with me; I heard that cursed Quirk speaking
to you. What can you care for an ugly brute like that?"

"He is as far above you," she said, "as that star is above the world.
How dare you even mention his name?"

He paid no attention to her remark.

"I don't come to ask you to share poverty. I offer you a good name and
a fortune," he said. "My father is dead and I am heir to great estates
and a time-honoured name."

"If you offered me the world I would refuse it," she answered.

"You loved me once----."

"Never. That was mere imagination on my part, not real honest love," she
cried. "Go, at once, before Mr. Quirk returns."

"No, I shall stay," he replied.

"Then take the consequences."

Denis Quirk's step was to be heard crunching the gravel as he came. When
he was near them Kathleen hurried to him.

Denis increased his pace until he came to where Gerard stood.

"I warned you not to come near this house," he said.

"The moth comes to the candle. Your warning was useless," said Gerard.
"Night after night I have walked this avenue with Kathleen O'Connor. Now
she is tired of me."

"Liar," cried Denis Quirk.

"Abuse cannot alter what I say."

"Put up your hands and defend yourself. I hate to strike a defenceless
man," said Denis, moved to fury.

"Do you fancy I am afraid of you?" Gerard asked tauntingly.

"Then take it," cried Denis Quirk, and his fist flew out suddenly, beat
down Gerard's guard, and stretched him on the gravel path.

"You have killed him," cried Kathleen in sudden terror.

"Not I. Such men as this never die."

Denis stooped and examined the prostrate man.

"He will live to lie again," he said. "I know him for a liar. Night
after night I have followed you, not because I distrusted you, but I
have seen him lurking about and I feared danger."

She came to him with outstretched hands and hid herself in the big man's
arms. They went side by side up the long avenue, and their steps seemed
to march to a triumphant anthem.

POST SCRIPTUM.

Grey Town after many years, and Grey Town in the early summer, when the
farmers were congratulating themselves on fat factory cheques. But a
changed Grey Town, for prosperity had transformed the town. It was no
longer merely a count