of Circ

r. He had found it difficult to explain away his cond

mollified her anger somewhat. "I wanted to die!

sed and kissed the upraised, tearful face passionately. "I didn't think you'd care. I supposed

m. She wanted to forget

e now,-such a awfu

to the hall of his home in Ithaca, he

softly, "come on up

eluctantly to the front room. He hated scenes with his mother. He hated everything about the house, hated even the thought of going back to school. He wanted to take Tess away

alked self-consciously forward to turn up the

ake the room bright, please

is hand from

he moved to the foot of the bed. "Let it

lasses on the bridge of h

o send you in. What's

er was brutal

." The woman sat up in bed and exclaimed

ook possession

tradicted roughly. "Didn't I tell you I wouldn't

y in which they were uttered, Mrs. Graves san

y willingly to grant even s

ll standing here,"

hly. "Frederick! What's happened to you since your father died? That sq

y's mind. It was ridiculous to blame Tess. Ah, if he were as good

u?" he rasped rudely. "Even if I can't se

ng back wisps of gray hair, that

g man. It's a good thing you don't go to Skinner's any more. It's time you were interested in a decent girl. You've got

pose," the boy answered "but

er rejoined tartly. "You've go

hat do you take me for, anyhow? Get tha

't dare to say such things to me....

her that Tessibel Skinner was his wife. After that was done, there could

at the same time you've been stealing down to that Skinner girl's hut.... Oh, don't deny it any more! B

, or anyone else,"

y low but every w

llow, turned it over, pat

his face with accusing eyes.

d explain! He coughed, took out hi

inst Tessibel Skinner," was what he said

scream, and covered he

orget my shame and disgrace? Can't you see that girl coming into my l

sterday Teola dying in the church. It had been such a dreadful experience for all of them. Frederick had never doubted for one momen

rgive me!-There!-Don't cry!... Now don't ge

hivered in th

red brokenly. "You won't do anything to

. He sat down on the edge of the b

n dollars a week. Nor anything like it. You haven't any profession, and

to a fresh b

ing back the grey hair. "Go on and tell me w

d her handkerch

in ruffled tones. "You've but to ask her, and she'll jump. Babe sa

es, and shrouding red curls passed between Freder

id not to ta

e got to tell you about Madelene, haven't I? You

under his mother and dropped hi

d between his fingers. "I can

him. He lifted his face with a sharp gestu

darling mater, don't!" he moaned. "

ers closed over t

so many things from you, but now I'll tell you why. The lake place is mortgaged to Ebenezer Wal

hands fell f

claimed hoarsely. "Why di

es. I haven't any money at all only what they let me have. Babe and I won't have a

mething worse than death had ha

ink of it," h

ed her eyes with a long sigh. Frederick said no

ld? Oh, to get away somewhere to think quietly! To get something to stop the throbbing in his head! This new horror facing him was more than he could bear. He'd go back now and tell his mother he was married to Tess.... No, he'd wai

" she said, smili

st in her awakened by the talk he'd just had with his mother, contend

able and feigned i

my mother," he s

ene, coming to his side, "and

anything," replied

erfect rest if she ever recovers," explained Madelene. "He says sh

you have," blu

I'd like to," Madele

d foot and made him feel like a galley slave. But he could never marry her, never! He belonged to Tessibel Skinner by all the rights of Heaven and earth. He studied the eager girl again-for so long a time that she dropped her lids, blushing. Truly,

ness, but Madelene was looking pleadingly into his face and had spoken of his mother with tender sympathy. He suddenly reached out and took he

oy said earnestly. "I hav

forward on his chest, and his arms closed around her, as if to keep her from falling.

oh, so happy!" wh

nst him once more. For the moment Frederick's mi

've heard so often you did. I just couldn't bear the thought of it, Frederick. You

adored, his wife, had been in the same tender position. He was so dazed that for the mo

to you," he vent

you talk," Madelen

marriage with Tessibel before she really admitte

ry serious," he said at length.

ingers touch

t now that I know you love me. It's all I want in th

e loved her! He was as far from loving her at

you must know," he t

that horrid old money your mother borrowed of brother and me.... But what does money matt

t listen while he explained the impossibilit

ldn't

e girl. "Just me, see? There, dearest! Now don't talk of

ouldn't tell her of Tessibel just then. The right moment had come and gone. In the morning he would!

around me," whi

s mind, he drew the little

when Frederick Graves shut his bedroom door, h