“I wonder how he knew?” remarked Dollie, innocently. “Why, I came out five minutes before him and waited at the elevator. That boy is very impudent to be watching us,” she added. “And your employer is very thoughtless to invite you out with him,” said Marion, stoutly. “A man of his age ought to know better, Dollie.” “But he did not mean anything by it, Marion,” said Dollie, quickly. “Why, he is as nice as he can be, and he’s almost as old as father.” “That is what I said; he is old enough to know better,” said Marion, grimly; “but here he comes, Dollie; I know him by your description.” “Yes, here he comes,” repeated the fair-haired girl, gayly, “and I do so hope he has arranged everything satisfactorily. He is going to take me to a matinee, and I’ll make him take you, too. He won’t mind, I am sure, for he has plenty of money.” Mr. Atherton looked surprised when he saw Dollie talking to a magnificent young woman, and he smiled more blandly than ever when the blushing girl introduced them. “I am delighted to meet you, I am sure,” he said, with a gallant bow to Dollie’s sister. “And I am delighted to meet you also, sir,” said Marion, coldly, “for it gives me an opportunity to tell you what I think of you!” CHAPTER IV. MARION MEETS WITH AN ACCIDENT. Dollie Marlowe gasped at her sister’s words, and for a moment even the wily old lawyer looked a little disconcerted. “I am sure I hope you do not think ill of me,” he said, politely. “I was only taking your sister for a little outing. She is as safe with me as she would be with her own father.” “Nevertheless you have not considered the risk to her reputation,” said Marion, calmly. “Dollie is your typewriter; she is in your employ. It is not proper at all for you to make a companion of her.” “But if I choose to, Miss Marlowe, surely there can be no harm. And as for the opinion of the world, what does that amount to?” “It amounts to a great deal to a poor girl,” was the quick answer. “A man may shock the proprieties all he pleases, but the woman who does so will always have to suffer. We must take the world as we find it, sir, and conform to its edicts.” “Then you think it is wrong for your sister to eat her lunch with me?” he asked, with a slight sneer. “Perhaps you imagine that her employer is not respectable?” “I mean, sir,” said the brave girl, firmly, “that I love my sister dearly, and that I will not knowingly allow her fair name to be sullied. She is engaged to be married, sir, to a noble young man. What do you suppose he would say to your remarks about the luncheon?” “Oh, if she is tied to some whipper-snapper, and dares not say her soul is her own——” he began, angrily, but Marion interrupted in the same calm manner. “She is engaged to a gentleman and she means to marry him, consequently I can see no reason why she should desire your company; and as for her lunches, the salary you pay her should provide her with those necessaries.”