"Mr. Gordon sent me to Omar purposely. He sent me twice. It was I who brought him word that the road was saved. I told all I'd learned because I believed he no longer hated Mr. O'Neil. I was happy to tell all I knew, for he deceived me as he deceives every one. I learned the truth too late." "Why do you stay here?" Dan demanded, hotly. "Why? I--don't know. Perhaps because I'm afraid to leave. I'm alone--you see mother believes in him: she's completely under his sway, and I can't tell her the sort of man he is. She's happy, and her happiness is worth more to me than my own. But--I SHALL go away. I can't stand it here much longer." "Where will you go?" "Back to my old home, perhaps. Somewhere--anywhere away from Alaska." "I suppose you know I can't get along without you." "Please don't! You have been very good and sweet to me, but--" She shook her dark head. "You couldn't marry me--even if I cared for you in that way." "Why? I intend to marry you whether you want to or not." "Oh, Dan, it wouldn't do. You know--about--mother. I've nearly died of shame, and--it would be sure to come up. Somebody would speak of it, sometime." Dan's blue eyes went cold and smoky as he said: "It would take a pretty brave person to mention the subject in my presence. I don't care a whoop for anything Gordon or your family may say or do. I--" There was a stir in the hall outside, and the speaker turned to behold Curtis Gordon himself in the doorway. The latter in passing had been drawn by the sound of voices and had looked into the library. Recognizing Natalie's caller, he frowned. "What is this?" he inquired, coldly. "A proposal? Do I interrupt?" "You do," said Dan; then, after a pause, "I'll finish it when you leave." Gordon entered, and spoke to his stepdaughter. "What is this man doing in my house?" "He is here at my invitation," she replied. "Tell him to leave. I won't have him here." "Why don't YOU tell me?" cried Dan. "I don't need an interpreter." "Young man, don't be rash. There is a limit to my patience. If you have the indecency to come here after what you have done, and after what your sister has said about me, I shall certainly--" Dan broke in roughly: "I didn't come to see you, Gordon. You may be an agreeable sight to some people, but you're no golden sunset in my eyes. Eliza flattered you." Natalie gave a little terrified cry, for the men were glaring at each other savagely. Neither seemed to hear her. "Did you read that article?" "Read it? I wrote it!" Gordon's face flamed suddenly with rage; he pointed to the door with trembling fingers, and shouted: "Get out! I'll not have you here. I discharged you once. Get out!" His utterance was rapid and thick. Dan smiled mirthlessly, dangerously. In a soft voice he said: "I haven't finished proposing. I expect to be accepted. You'll pardon me, I know." "Will you go, you--"