The news that Barry must go away had been a blow to Leila's childish

dreams of immediate happiness. She knew that Barry was bitter, that he

rebelled against the plans which were being made for him, but she did

not know that Gordon had told the General frankly and flatly the reason

for this delay in the matrimonial arrangements.

The General, true to his ancient code, had protested that "a man could

drink like a gentleman," that Barry's good blood would tell. "His wild

oats aren't very wild--and every boy must have his fling."

Gordon had listened impatiently, as to an ancient and outworn

philosophy. "The business world doesn't take into account the wild

oats of a man, General," he had said. "The new game isn't like the old

one,--the convivial spirit is not the popular one among men of affairs.

And that isn't the worst of it, with Barry's temperament there's danger

of a breakdown, moral and physical. If it were not for that, he could

come into your office and practice law, as you suggest. But he's got

to get away from Washington. He's got to get away from old

associations, and you'll pardon me for saying it, he's got to get away

from Leila. She loves him, and is sorry for him, even though we've

kept from her the knowledge of his fault. She thinks we are all

against him and her sympathy weakens him. It was the same with her

mother, Constance tells me. She wouldn't believe that her boy could be

anything but perfect, and John Ballard wasn't strong enough to

counteract her influence. Mary was the only one, and now that it has

come to an actual crisis, even Mary blames me for trying to do what I

know is best for Barry. I want to take him over to the other side, cut

him away from all that hampers him here, and bring him back to you

stronger in fiber and more of a man."

The General shook his head. "Perhaps," he said, "but I can't bear to

think of the hurt heart of my little Leila."

"They should never have been engaged," Gordon said, "but it won't make

matters any better to let things go on. If Leila doesn't marry Barry,

she won't have to bear the burdens he will surely bring to her. She'd

better be unhappy with you to take care of her, than tied to him and

unhappy."

"But I'm an old man, and she is such a child. Life for me is so short,

and for her so long."




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