"Oh, nothing must stand in the way of that, you know," the little man went on. "Why, gad! the tenderest feelings of brotherly---- Oh, you don't mean it! But I mustn't keep you. Bessie told me that the plans for your house have come. She's got 'em over there, now. I say, old man, I envy you your evening. Like two birds arranging the nest. Sorry you can't come in; but, good night. And, say! Your little strawberry blonde is in town! Wouldn't that jar you?" "Heavens!" ejaculated Amidon. "How am I ever to get through with this?" The genuine agony in Florian's tones fixed the attention of the little man, and seemed to arouse some terrible suspicion. "Why, 'Gene," said he, "you don't mean that there's anything in this blonde matter, do you, that will---- By George! And she's a sister of one of the most prominent A. O. C. M.'s of Pittsburg--and you remember our solemn obligation!" "No," said Amidon, "I don't!" "What! You don't!" "No!" said Florian. "I've forgotten it!" "Forgotten it!" said his questioner, recoiling as if in horror. "Forgotten it! And with the sister of the Past Sovereign Pontiff of Pittsburg Lodge No. 863! I tell you, Brassfield, I don't believe it. I prefer to think you're bughouse! Cracked! Out of your head! But, 'Gene," added his unknown brother, in a stage-whisper, "if there has been anything between you and anything comes up, you know, Jim Alvord, for one, knowing and understanding your temptations--for the strawberry blondes are the very devil--will stand by you until the frost gathers six inches deep on the very hinges of---- Say, Mary's coming in at the side door. Good night! Keep a stiff upper lip; stay by Bess, and I'll stay by you, obligation or no obligation. 'F. D. and B.', you know: death, perhaps, but no desertion! So long! See you to-morrow."