ried to take her hand, she drew
it away.

"You've been very cruel, Graham," she said. "I've been selfish. Every
girl who is terribly in love is selfish. I am going to give you your
ring, and leave you free to do whatever you want."

Her generosity overcame him. He was instantly ashamed, humbled.

"Don't!" he begged. "Don't let me go. I'll just go to the dogs. If you
really care?"

"Care!" she said softly. And as he buried his head in her lap she
stroked his hair softly. Her eyes, triumphant, surveyed the long room,
with its satin-paneled walls, its French furniture, its long narrow
gilt-framed mirrors softening the angles of the four corners.

Some day all this would be hers. For this she would exchange the untidy
and imitation elegance of her present setting.

She stroked the boy's head absently.

Graham made an attempt to free himself the next day. He was about to
move his office to the new plant, and he made a determination not to
take Anna with him.

He broke it to her as gently as he could.

"Mr. Weaver is taking my place here," he said, avoiding her eyes.

"Yes, Graham."

"He'll--there ought to be some one here who knows the ropes."

"Do you mean me?"

"Well, you know them, don't you?" He had tried to smile at her.

"Do you mean that you are going to have another secretary at the plant?"

"Look here, Anna," he said impulsively. "You know things can't go on
indefinitely, the way we are now. You know it, don't you."

She looked down and nodded.

"Well, don't you think I'd better leave you here?"

She fumbled nervously with her wrist-watch.

"I won't stay here if you go," she said finally. "I hate Mr. Weaver. I'm
afraid of him. I--oh, don't leave me, Graham. Don't. I haven't anybody
but you. I haven't any home--not a real home. You ought to see him these
days." She always referred to her father as "him." "He's dreadful. I'm
only happy when I'm here with you."

He was angry, out of sheer despair.

"I've told you," he said. "Things can't go on as they are. You know well
enough what I mean. I'm older than you are, Anna. God knows I don't
want any harm to come to you through me. But, if we continue to be
together--"

"I'm not blaming you." She looked at him honestly. "I'd just rather have
you care about me than marry anybody else."

He kissed her, with a curious mingling of exultation and despair. He
left her there when he went away that afternoon, a rather downcast young
figure, piling up r