He went on: “Despite myself, I would think of you when you were not near. Despite myself, I would be watching you when you were in sight. I saw you laughing and talking with that addle-pated boy, Wynne, and I wanted to spank him. I saw you smiling on Lester Vance, and I wanted to knock his head off.” “And all the while I never dreamed of this. Oh, say, Hodge, don’t get sentimental now. I don’t like it, my boy. I didn’t stop you to have you tell me all this, but——” “I am going to tell it just the same!” he shouted, his eyes blazing. “I did not mean to, but I’ll not be stopped now. I am going to tell it, and, by Heaven, you must listen.” She shrugged her shoulders. “It’s a pretty bad case with you, that’s plain; but you’ll get over it, my dear fellow.” Again Hodge ignored her words and manner. “I have seen you walking with Vance,” he said. “You went to church with him in Puleob. You have permitted him to show you all kinds of attentions.” “I’ve simply been polite to him, in return for his kindness to me.” “Polite! Kindness! I tell you I can’t stand it. That’s what ailed me to-day. That’s why I would not obey Havener. It has gnawed on me—gnawed, gnawed. I have felt like kicking that fellow. Sometimes I have found it hard to keep my hands off him. Stella—Miss Stanley, you must quit him.” “Really! Well, now, Hodge, you are going beyond the limit.” Still he did not heed. He paid no attention to the flush that rose to her cheeks. The words continued to pour from his lips: “You have said you liked me. Prove it! Now is your chance! You want me to stay with the company. I’ll stay if you throw both Vance and Wynne over—give them the cold shoulder. I’ll stay for all of the call down Havener gave me. I’ll swallow my pride and let the matter drop.” “That will be sensible of you, but you must not be foolish about me, my boy—really you mustn’t. I am older than you, and it is my place to give you advice. You have lost your head, not your heart, my dear fellow.” Bart’s hands clinched and unclosed. “Don’t talk to me that way!” came hoarsely from his lips. “Don’t talk to me as if you regarded me as a stripling! Answer me, Stella Stanley—will you drop those fellows?” “I couldn’t think of giving them the marble heart, Hodge. It wouldn’t be right, you know.” “And you’ll go on laughing and chatting with them! You will walk with Vance! You’ll eat at his table! Do you think I can stay and stand that? No! Oh, you are like all the others, and I hate you—hate you!” He caught her in his arms and pressed his lips to hers. She was startled by his sudden fierce action and cried out. A man came springing forward. “What’s this?” he cried. “Hands off, Hodge!” It was Vance. Bart straightened up, still with an arm about the actress, who seemed to hesitate whether to laugh or be angry. His eyes met those of Lester Vance, and they were filled with the most deadly hatred. He did not speak, but suddenly he stooped and kissed Stella once more.