ologetically:--

"You must n't mind all she says, Mr. Carroll. Helen never did seem to
realize the serious side of life, nor what I suffer; but that is Helen's
way."

"After all, it must be a way that helps smooth things over some," he had
retorted warmly.

And there the matter had ended--except in Helen's memory: there it bade
fair to remain long, indeed.

At the end of the ten minutes, Herbert's friend rose to his feet and said
that he must go. He added that he would come again, if he might; and to
Miss Raymond he said very low--but very impressively--that she would see
him soon, very soon. It was no surprise, therefore, to Helen, to
encounter the big, tall fellow not twenty feet from her doorway when she
started for the store the next morning.

His clean-cut face flushed painfully as he advanced; but the girl did not
change color.

"Good-morning. I thought you'd do this," she began hurriedly. "We can
talk as we walk. Now, tell me, please, quick. What is it
about--Herbert?"

"Then you--know?"

"Not much; only suspect. I know everything is n't quite--right."

"But your mother doesn't know--even that much?"

"No, no! You saw that, didn't you? I was so glad you did, and did n't
speak! He is her pet, and she's so proud of him!"

"Yes, I know," nodded the man grimly. "I saw--that."

The girl lifted her chin.

"And mother has a right to be proud of him. Herbert is fine. It is only
that--that--" She weakened perceptibly. "Was it--money?" she faltered.

"Y-yes." Carroll spoke with evident reluctance. His eyes looked down
almost tenderly at the girl with the still bravely uptilted chin.
"It--it is rather serious this time. He asked me to call and--and make
it plain to you. I had told him I was coming up to town on business, and
I promised. But--good Heavens, Miss Raymond, I--I can't tell you!"

"But you must. I'll have to know," cried the girl sharply. All the
pride had fled now. "And you need n't fear. I know what it is. He
wants money to settle debts. I've sent it before--once. That is
it--that _is_ it?"

"Yes, only it's--it's a particularly bad job this time," stammered the
other. "You see, it--it's club money--a little club among the boys, of
which he is treasurer--and he sto--used part of the--funds."

The man choked over the wretched tale, and instinctively laid his hand on
the girl's arm. She would faint or cry, of course, and he wondered what
he could do. But there w