It was silly, I know, but I couldn't
help it. Did you see me throw my flowers at the girl?"

"I did," he replied, his heart throbbing; "and you were not alone in
your enthusiasm. She seemed to carry the house by storm. It was her
farewell appearance, I noticed by the papers this morning."

He was trying to speak indifferently, but it was not easy.

"I am sorry," she responded, eyeing him keenly; "I've heard her five
times in the past two weeks, and yesterday learned she was from
Rockhaven. Did you ever hear her before?"

Then Winn knew that his secret was a secret no longer.

"I have," he admitted modestly; "she is the niece of Jess Hutton."

"And it was to see her that you went to the island two weeks ago,"
pursued Ethel, smiling; "I thought as much then."

For a moment she tapped the carpet with one dainty slipper, while her
lips were pressed tightly together, and then she continued:--

"I knew last summer," she said, in a cool and even voice, "that you had
left your heart on the island when you came back. Permit me to
congratulate you. The girl is a marvel."

"It is very kind of you to say so," he responded dejectedly, "but
useless. I didn't find her when I went there, and it's all over between
us, I presume."

Then Ethel laughed, but it was unnatural, and like the rattle of dry
bones. "Not a bit of it," she said briskly; "women with such eyes as
hers do not unlearn the lesson of love easily. You may have to beg
forgiveness for your neglect on your knees, but you will receive it. It
is such souls as hers that give the lie to all our worldly philosophy."

"Have you such a one?" he queried thoughtlessly.

Her eyes flashed.

"No," she answered bitterly; "no one ever accused me of such folly. I
have no heart, and am for sale to the highest bidder."

"I beg your pardon, Ethel," he said humbly, "I was only thinking of the
long ago, and forgot what I was then."

"You need not," she replied, turning away. "I only am to blame, but--it
hurt--from you."

Then, covering her eyes with one hand, she added slowly, as if the words
came hard: "It's all past and gone, Winn, but--but I did not know myself
then, and now it's too late. God help me!"

At the door she laid a detaining hand on his arm.

"I wish you well," she said, with a quiver in her voice; "I wish you all
that's best and holiest in life. Go to your island girl, and at once.
She is worthy of you, and you of her. We have been good friends, and I
hope