There was a short silence, then Dick laid his arms across his friend's

shoulders, quite in the old friendly way.

"Now may we drop that subject and be good pals again?"

"Not yet," Ellery said sharply. "We won't drop it till I've had one more

say. Dick, don't be knocked out by a single blow. You! Why, I thought

you had a grip like a bulldog. I can't believe even in this ugly mess.

Still less will I believe that you haven't the courage--that you aren't

man enough to own your defeat, and then go on as though you hadn't been

beaten."

Dick poked at the andirons with his toe. Suddenly he looked up with a

flash of his old brilliance and buoyancy.

"Suppose I do!" he exclaimed. "What a fellow you are, Ellery, to stick

to me this way! But don't underestimate my difficulty. I'm not an

absolute coward, but I've been beaten not only once, but on both flanks

and in the middle. Everything in life seemed to be giving me a kick. I

was at the bottom when you came in, but if you believe in me, perhaps

I'll begin to believe in myself again. You've always been telling me how

much I did for you. You've done more for me to-night than I ever dreamed

of doing for you."

Ellery's face cleared. They stood with clasped hands, and there seemed

no need of further explanations or assurances. Norris drew a long breath

of relief.

"So we are friends still?" asked Dick.

"Till the Judgment Day and beyond."

"Now good-by," said Dick, as though anxious to get rid of him, "till

to-morrow."

"Till to-morrow."

A moment later a radiant vision stood in the doorway making a pouting

face.

"Dick," said Lena.

Dick started and stiffened himself as though to give battle, his hands

rested on the chair-back in front of him, but an instant's survey of

his wife's rose-leaf face, her well-groomed masses of hair, her dainty

evening gown, seemed to inspire another attitude. He threw his arms

passionately around her.

"Oh, Lena," he cried, "love me! You must love me--you have cost me so

dear!"

"Nonsense!" Lena gave him a sharp push and spoke resentfully. "I'm not

half so extravagant as most of the women we know."

Dick drew away and became rigid again.

"Extravagant!" he exclaimed as though to himself. "You have cost me my

self-respect, a big part of my future and the cream of my best

friendship. What higher price could a man pay for the thing he loves?"

"I do think, Dick," said Lena severely, "that you can talk the silliest

nonsense of any person I ever heard. What on earth is the meaning of all

this? No--no--" as she saw that he was getting ready to reply. "I have

not time to hear. I thought that tiresome Mr. Norris would never go.

What can you see in him?--Have you forgotten that we are going to the

Country Club for dinner? It's long past time for you to dress."




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