ne, and fits it into place, smoothly,
almost without actually seeing the brick itself, except as something
which will help to make a finished wall. She rarely prowled the city
now. She told herself she was too tired at night, and on Sundays and
holidays, and I suppose she was. Indeed, she no longer saw things with
her former vision. It was as though her soul had shriveled in direct
proportion to her salary's expansion. The streets seldom furnished her
with a rich mental meal now. When she met a woman with a child, in
the park, her keen eye noted the child's dress before it saw the child
itself, if, indeed, she noticed the child at all.

Fascinating Facts, the guileless, pink-cheeked youth who had driven
her home the night of her first visit to the Fengers, shortly after her
coming to Haynes-Cooper's, had proved her faithful slave, and she had
not abused his devotion. Indeed, she hardly considered it that. The sex
side of her was being repressed with the artist side. Most men found her
curt, brisk, businesslike manner a little repellent, though interesting.
They never made love to her, in spite of her undeniable attractiveness.
Fascinating Facts drove her about in his smart little roadster and one
night he established himself in her memory forever as the first man who
had ever asked her to marry him. He did it haltingly, painfully, almost
grudgingly. Fanny was frankly amazed. She had enjoyed going about with
him. He rested and soothed her. He, in turn, had been stimulated by her
energy, her humor, her electric force. Nothing was said for a minute
after his awkward declaration.

"But," he persisted, "you like me, don't you?"

"Of course I do. Immensely."

"Then why?"

"When a woman of my sort marries it's a miracle. I'm twenty-six, and
intelligent and very successful. A frightful combination. Unmarried
women of my type aren't content just to feel. They must analyze their
feelings. And analysis is death to romance."

"Great Scott! You expect to marry somebody sometime, don't you, Fanny?"

"No one I know now. When I do marry, if I do, it will be with the idea
of making a definite gain. I don't mean necessarily worldly gain,
though that would be a factor, too." Fascinating Facts had been staring
straight ahead, his hands gripping the wheel with unnecessary rigidity.
He relaxed a little now, and even laughed, though not very successfully.
Then he said something very wise, for him.

"Listen to me, girl. You'll never g