that; you are a man."

For a long minute I did not answer, unable to determine what to do, how
to act. We had both finished our meal, and there was no excuse for
lingering longer at the table.

"You will go with me, then?"

"Yes."

I pushed back my chair, and she arose also, following me without question
as I passed across to the door. The cashier nodded to my good night, and
I opened the door for her passage to the street. The mist of the cloudy
night had been blown away by an increasing breeze. The air was warm, and
the sky brightening in the east. I glanced aside into her face, and led
the way into a near-by park, the two of us trudging along a well-kept
gravel path, until I discovered a bench hidden from observation amid
surrounding shrubbery.

"I 've simply got to think this whole matter out," I explained simply.
"It's happened so unexpectedly. I 'm stumped as to what had better be
done."

She remained standing, resting one hand on the back of the settee, a
slender figure, neatly enough dressed, yet exhibiting evidence of her
long night's wandering.

"You mean I am a problem? You--you do not know what to do with me?"

I glanced at her, surprised by the change in her voice.

"Naturally; a young woman is usually a problem, isn't she? This
particular one has come with a suddenness sufficient to jar anybody's
nerves. Three hours ago I was without responsibility, a mere log adrift
on the current. I 've hardly wakened up yet to the change in conditions.
Here I am a fellow so utterly worthless that I have n't even been able to
take decent care of myself alone, yet all at once the duty fronts me to
double my responsibilities."

Her cheeks reddened.

"No, you are not! Is that then your conception of me? Let me tell you
differently. Just so soon as this city wakes up, I am going to start
forth again and seek work."

The smile I was attempting faded.

"Seek work! I understood you confided yourself to my care."

"Not--not in that way--never!" indignantly. "You had no right to so
construe my words. You--you know I am not like that. I trusted you as a
man; I--I gave you my--my confidence as a friend," her speech growing
swift, and impetuous. "Do not make me sorry. I will not accept your
money; I will never remain dependent upon you, or a burden. I have
regained my courage, and am no longer afraid. All I needed was to know
that I was not all alone--I can fight for the rest."

"Mrs. Bernar