a way, it makes for my
happiness, so therein I am selfish."

"Bosh! You'll be happy, Anne, but not through me. You are the prettiest
girl in New York, one of the richest, one of the smartest--"

"See here, George," she said, a hard note stealing into her voice, "you
and I are pretty much alike in one respect. Surprising as it may seem, we
have been able to love some one besides ourselves. And still more
surprising, we appear to be constant. You are no more constant in your
love for Lutie than I am in my love for the man I shall never have. My man
despises me. Your woman merely pities you. You can retake what you have
lost. I cannot. But why shouldn't I go on loving my man, just as you are
loving your woman? Why shouldn't I?" she cried out fiercely.

He gulped. "Oh, I say, Anne, I--I didn't dream that it meant so much to
you. I have always thought of you as--as--er--sort of indifferent to--But,
that just shows how little a fellow knows about his sister. A sister never
seems to be given the same flesh and blood feelings that other women have.
I'm sorry I said what I did a little while ago. I take it back, Anne. If
you've got a chance to get Brady back--"

"Stop! I spoke of your affairs, George, because they are not altogether
hopeless. We cannot discuss mine."

"And as for that story, who is going to prove that Braden intentionally--"
He checked the words, and switched off along another line. "Even though he
did put a merciful end to Mr. Thorpe's suffering, what selfish motive can
be charged to him? Not one. He doesn't get a dollar of the estate, Simmy
says. He alone loved that old man. No one else in the world loved him. He
did the best he could for him, and he doesn't care what any one thinks
about it. I came here to warn you, to tell you to be careful, but now that
I know what it means to you, I--"

She arose. Facing him, she said slowly, deliberately: "I believe that
Braden tried to save his grandfather's life. He asked my consent to the
operation. I gave it. When I gave it, I was morally certain that Mr.
Thorpe was to die on the operating table. I wanted him to die. I wanted an
end put to his suffering. But I did not want Braden to be the one. Some
day I may have the courage to tell you something, George, that will shock
you as nothing on earth has ever shocked you. I will tell you the real
reason why Templeton Thorpe married me. I--but not now. I wish that the
whole world could know that if Braden did take his