YOUNG EARNEST THE ROMANCE OF A BAD START IN LIFE BY GILBERT CANNAN Author of "Old Mole," "Round the Corner." NEW YORK D. APPLETON AND COMPANY 1915 Now my question is: have you a scheme of life consonant with the spirit of modern philosophy--with the views of intelligent, moral, humane human beings of this period? THE ADVENTURES OF HARRY RICHMOND. COPYRIGHT, 1915, BY D. APPLETON AND COMPANY To O. M. Words skilled and woven do not make a book Except some truth in beauty shine in it. I bring you this because you overlook My faults to follow out my probing wit. And where it fails or falls short of its aim, You see design and waste nor praise nor blame On the achievement. Stirring to the will, Your wit still urges mine to greater skill. CONTENTS BOOK ONE LINDA BROCK CHAPTER PAGE I. LOVE IN EARNEST 3 II. 166 HOG LANE WEST 13 III. GEORGE MARRIED 29 IV. A RETURN 41 V. SETTLING DOWN 51 VI. PROFESSOR SMALLMAN 60 VII. FLYING NEAR THE CANDLE 71 VIII. INTIMACY 85 IX. PATERFAMILIAS 98 X. HONEYMOON 109 XI. MATRIMONY 130 XII. ESCAPE 147 BOOK TWO ANN PIDDUCK I. ADVENTURE IN LONDON 157 II. MITCHAM MEWS 169 III. MR. MARTIN 182 IV. LEARNING A TRADE 196 V. TOGETHER 206 VI. KILNER 219 VII. OLD LUNT 226 VIII. RITA AND JOE 236 IX. TALK 254 X. AN ENCOUNTER 270 XI. VISION 277 XII. SETTLEMENT 285 BOOK THREE CATHLEEN BENTLEY I. MEETING 301 II. HAPPINESS 311 III. THE WEST WIND 322 IV. EXPLANATION 331 V. THRIGSBY 343 VI. THE COMFORT OF RELIGION 362 VII. CASEY'S VENTURE 370 VIII. THRIVING 382 IX. YOUNG LOVE DREAMING 388 BOOK ONE LINDA BROCK Ha! Ha! _So_ you take human nature upon trust? I LOVE IN EARNEST O that joy so soon should waste Or so sweet a bliss As a kiss Might not forever last!