He crushed back the angry words that rose to his lips. He had never disliked a woman before, but he could not help but own to himself that he hated the girl by his side--the girl whom fate had destined that he should marry. CHAPTER VI. THE WAY OF WOMEN THE WHOLE WORLD OVER. As Jay Gardiner and Sally walked to the hotel the young man had made up his mind that the wedding should be put off as much as possible. Suddenly Sally touched him on the arm just as they reached the flight of steps leading to the veranda. "I have one request to make of you," she said. "Please do not tell any of my folks that you do not care for me, and that it is not a _bona-fide_ love-match." He bowed coldly. She went on: "Mamma has a relative--an old maiden cousin, ever so old--who liked my picture so well that she declared she would make me her heiress. She's worth almost as much as you are. They named me after her--Sally Rogers Pendleton. That's how I happen to have such a heathenish name. But I'll change it quick enough after the old lady dies and leaves me her money. "And you will call to see me often?" asked Sally. "Before I promise that, I must ask what you call 'often.'" "You should take me out riding every afternoon, and call at least every other evening." Again that angry look crossed Jay's handsome face. "In this case the usual customs must be waived," he answered, haughtily. "I will call for you when I drive. That must suffice." Jay Gardiner's thoughts were not any too pleasant as he wended his way to his boarding-house. He had always prided himself on his skill in evading women, lest a drag-net in the hands of some designing woman might insnare him. Now he had been cleverly outwitted by an eighteen-year-old girl. He suddenly lost all pleasure in driving. He was thankful for the rainy week that followed, as he was not obliged to take Sally out driving. One day a telegram came from New York, requesting his immediate presence in that city to attend a critical case. With no little satisfaction he bid the Pendletons good-bye. "We intend to cut short our summer outing. We will return to New York in a fortnight, and then I hope to have the pleasure of seeing you as often as possible," Sally remarked. "I lead a very busy life in the city," he said. "A doctor's time is not his own." "I shall not enjoy staying here after you have gone," she said, a trifle wistfully. But he paid little heed to the remark. The happiest moment of his life was when the train steamed out of Lee. "Why don't you stay over and see the next race?" said one of his friends, wringing his hand on the platform of the car. "I shall never go to another race," he remarked, savagely. "What! were you a plunger at the last race?" asked his friend. But Jay Gardiner made no answer. "I am sorry if I have called up bitter recollections," laughed his friend. Then the bell sounded, and the train moved on.