"What do you want with him?" Bill demanded truculently. "Because he is packing all the load now that he can stand, and you ain't going to add another chip to it. Give me your old engagement ring, and I'll pitch it in the hell-box. I reckon that's what you came for." She pushed him aside, her eyes blazing with wrath. "Get out of my way, Bill Bowers. You never did have any sense. Let me by!" She flung herself past him and ran into the composing room. At sight of Flossy, she paused. Flossy raised her head from Jap's shoulder and looked defiantly at the girl, but only for a second. She knew, in that glance. Softly she crept out as Isabel, with a heart-shaking cry, ran to Jap and threw herself against him. "Take me in your arms, Jap," she cried stormily, "for I love you." Jap stared up, dully, for an instant. Then, forgetting all but love, he opened his arms and clasped her to his heart. Bill rushed outside after Flossy. "I never knew that she was the real goods," he said remorsefully, wiping his eyes. "Get a wagon from the grocer," Flossy said, decisive again. "I am going to take her home with me." "Meaning that?" Bill flipped his thumb toward Jap's mother. "Send her up to the house, and I will have a doctor, and some one to bathe her and clean her up. Maybe after she is clean and sober, she won't be so dreadful." When Jap came out of his stupor enough to try to put Isabel away, he discovered what Flossy had done. With Isabel clinging to him, he walked with downcast head through the streets that lay between the _Herald_ office and Flossy's cottage. His mother was in bed, clean and yet disgusting in her drunken sleep. He forgot Isabel, silent by his side, as he stood looking down upon the blotched and sunken face, thinking what thoughts God only knew. He seemed years older as he walked out again, after the doctor had told him that nothing could be determined until she had slept the liquor off. Slowly and silently he and Isabel walked past the row of neat cottages until they reached Main street. On the corner Jap paused. "You must go home, Isabel," he said brokenly. "Sweetheart, I understand, and I know that you are the bravest girl in the world. But you must leave me now." "I will not," she declared. "I want you to take me right down to the office and send for a license. I am going to marry you, and show this town what I think of you!" "But I cannot let you," Jap said simply. "I know--you don't." "Then," said Isabel defiantly, "I will go back to Flossy's and take care of your mother until you are ready to talk sense."