go, and by myself. Please let me go!"

The last words were lost in a sob, and coming close to her I sat
beside her, and, putting my hand on her face, turned it slightly that
I might better see the big, black bruise on her forehead, partly
hidden by the loose, dark curls which fell across it. Her hair was
short and thick and parted on the side, giving her a youthful, boyish
look that was in odd contrast to the sudden terror in her eyes, and
for the first time I saw how slight and frail she was, saw that about
her which baffled and puzzled me, and which I could not analyze. She
wore no hat, and the red scarf around her neck was the only touch of
color in her otherwise dark dress. The lips of her large, sweet,
sensuous mouth were as colorless as her face.

"You have been hurt." I put my hand on her trembling ones. "Did
some one strike you or did you fall?"

She shook her head and drew her hands away. "I wasn't hurt. I--I
slipped and fell and struck my head on the pavement. Don't let
anybody telephone. I can go alone. Please--please let me go! I
must go! I can't stay here."

"But you mustn't go alone." I turned to Selwyn. "Mr. Thorne will go
with you. Do you live far from here?"

"Not very. It's close enough for me to go by myself. He mustn't go
with me." The words came stumblingly, and again I saw the quick,
frightened look she gave Selwyn, a look in which was indecision and
appeal, as well as fear, and I saw, too, that his face flushed as he
turned away.