“Did you stay for my sake? Don’t be stingy--say yes,” he coaxed. “No--no indeed, there was lots to be done here.” She stepped back up the stairs, half disgusted at both her own and Jack’s actions. She tried not to be one of those helpless girls who unconsciously betray themselves, and whose behavior is controlled solely by their impulses. She could not comprehend in what manner she had become apathetic toward Walter--Walter who was so tender, thoughtful, and true to her. She would have expressed the utmost surprise and disapprobation if she had heard that another had been detected in this immodest affair--if indeed, she had believed it possible. “I stayed because I did not like to leave my guest alone, and because I really had things to do.” “But I am vain enough to think that had I not been here the ‘things to do’ would have remained as they were.” As Jack made this assertion he drew Betty gently back to him and pressed his lips to the top of her head. She stood as if held by a vice. “Please--please, Jack, won’t you help me to be good? I owe so much to Walter.” “Money is money, my little boy, but there is no such thing as a love debt. We know not where love goes or whence it comes. We only know that it has come to you--and to me. It has caught us as fish are caught in a net, and I can think of no escape.” “But we must do something. Can’t we pray for guidance?” “No--I can only pray that in some way I shall soon be able to make you mine.” Again he kissed the top of her head, and as she turned to resist him, he folded her slowly but closely into his arms. She yielded--their lips met, every nerve and fibre tense in the two young bodies. “You were mine in heaven, darling, long before you came to earth. I lost you--and all these years I’ve been searching for you; now I’ve found you, never, never to let you go--mine--you must be mine.” “Oh, Jack, how can I ever look at Walter again?” sobbed Betty, tearing herself away. “I can never make my peace with God and him,” she said brokenly. “I shall always be afraid in the day lest my actions betray my guilt, and at night I shall be afraid to sleep for fear some self-accusing word may escape my lips.” “It would be cruel for me to subject you to such misery,” said Jack, leading her to a comfortable couch, which stood before a large open fire. “Come with me--come until we can arrange to be each other’s?” “Leave--leave Walter?” she asked, as if half dazed. The words seemed crude--unreal, if she had suddenly awakened from a dream whose content was even now vague and fast fading into the subconscious. “Come, darling, we’ll solve it later,” said Jack, holding her closer in his arms. “My little boy is so frightened now.” His words and movements indicated possession. She was now the ruling passion of his life----. * * * * *