and inexperienced to even know the possibilities. This is no part of the
city for you to walk alone in after dark. Your wisest course is to take a
car, but if you prefer not, you had best let me go with you."

"I choose not to take a car," replied the girl, warmly, "and you have no
right to accompany me against my wish."

Dr. Armstrong raised his hat. "I beg your pardon. I did not realize that
my presence was not desired," he said.

Angry at both herself and him, Constance merely bowed, and walked on. "I
don't see why men have to torment me so," she thought, as she hurried
along. "His face was really interesting, and if he only wouldn't begin
like--He never would have behaved so if--if I weren't--" Miss Durant
checked even her thoughts from the word "beautiful," and allowed the words
"well dressed" to explain her magnetism to the other sex. Then, as if to
salve her conscience of her own hypocrisy, she added, "It really is an
advantage to a girl, if she doesn't want to be bothered by men, to be born
plain."

The truth of her thought was brought home to her with unexpected
suddenness, for as she passed a strip of sidewalk made light by the glare
from a saloon brilliant with gas, a man just coming out of its door stared
boldly, and then joined her.

"Ahem!" he said.

The girl quickened her pace, but the intruder only lengthened his.

"Cold night, isn't it, darling?" he remarked, and tried to take her arm.