e won it. So long
as he maintained the attitude of friend and did not conflict with Dic's
claims, he was well received; but when he became a lover--a condition
difficult to refrain from--she almost hated and greatly feared him.
Despite her wretchedness, she accepted his visits and invitations for
her father's sake, and at times felt that she was under the spell of a
cruel wizard from Boston. With all these conditions, the battle of Dic's
wooing, though he held the citadel,--Rita's heart,--was by no means an
even fight. There were other causes operating that might eventually rout
him, even from that citadel.

One evening, while sitting before Billy Little's fire, Dic's campaign
was discussed in detail. The young man said:--

"Rita and I are to be married soon after I return from New York. If her
mother consents, well and good; if she refuses, we will bear up
manfully under her displeasure and ignore it. I have often thought of
your remark about Mrs. Bays as a mother-in-law."

"She certainly would be ideal," responded Billy. "But I hope you will
get the girl. She's worth all the trouble the old lady can make."

"Why do you say 'hope'?" asked Dic. "I'm sure of getting her. Why, Billy
Little, if I were to lose that girl, I believe I should go mad."

"No, you wouldn't," returned his friend. "You would console yourself
with the dimpler."

"Why, Billy Little, you are crazy--excuse me--but you don't understand,"
expostulated Dic. "For me, all that is worth possessing in the whole big
universe is concentrated in one small bit of humanity. Her little body
encompasses it all. Sukey Yates could be nothing to me, even though I
cared nothing for Rita. She has too many other friends, as she calls
them, and probably is equally generous to all."

"If you care for Rita, you should remain away from Sukey," remarked
Billy. "She may be comprehensive in her affections, and she may have
been--to state it mildly--overtender at times; but when a girl of her
ardent temperament falls in love, she becomes dangerous, because she is
really very attractive to the eye."

"I don't go there often, and I'll take your advice and remain away. I
have feared the danger you speak of, but--"

"Speak out, Dic; you may trust me," said Billy. Dic continued:--

"I don't like to speak of a girl as I was going to speak of Sukey, but
I'll explain. I have, of course, been unable to explain to Rita, and I'm
a selfish brute to go to Sukey's at all. Rita has n