ble day should not close until she
had had one more glimpse of the problem which had grown so dark and
hopeless. Graydon soon observed her standing in the doorway, but then
she was talking and laughing with a lady friend. A moment later she
glided out on the floor with one of a half dozen who had been waiting
for the favor. Graydon sought to catch her eye, but did not succeed.
Again she made upon his mind the impression of troubled perplexity,
but his purpose was uppermost, and he was bent on carrying it out.

"Come," he said to Miss Wildmere, in quiet tones, "I should enjoy a
stroll on the piazza, the room has grown so warm and close."

Feeling that she must yield, she did so with ready grace and apparent
willingness, and Graydon led her out through the main entrance, that
it might be observed that he received no less favor than had been
given to another.

"She is playing them both pretty strong," whispered one of the
committee, before referred to, that sits perpetually on the phases of
life at such resorts.

"I feared you would not be very patient," said Miss Wildmere, in a low
tone.

"I said I would be reasonably patient," was the reply.

"Reason again."

"Yes, Miss Wildmere; I think I can justly say that I am endowed with
both heart and reason. There are some questions in life that demand
both."

"Please do not speak so coldly. You do not understand."

"I wish I did."

"Be patient and you will. After maintaining friendship true and strong
for years, it hurts me to be misjudged now."

"But, Miss Wildmere--" he began, impetuously.

"Hush," she said, hastily; then added, a little coldly, "if I am not
worthy of a little trust I am not worthy of anything."

Graydon was touched to the quick. Honorable himself, he felt that he
was acting meanly and suspiciously--that his jealousy and irritation
were leading him to unmanly conduct. There was some reason for her
course, which would be explained eventually, and he ought not to ask
a woman to be his wife at all unless he could trust her. Therefore he
said, humbly. "I beg your pardon. In my heart I believe you worthy of
all trust. I will wait and be as patient as you desire, since I know
that you cannot have failed to understand me." Then he added, with
a deprecating laugh, "There are times, I suppose, when all men are a
little blind and unreasonable."

"Heaven keep him blind!" she thought, yet she winced under his honest
words in their contrast with herself.