Francis Charles groaned.

"For my good, of course. Funny how anything that's good for us is always
disagreeable. Well, let's have it!"

"It may not be of the slightest consequence to you," began Mary, slightly
confused. "And perhaps you know all about it--any old gossip could tell
you. It's a wonder if they haven't; you've been here two weeks."

Boland made a wry face.

"I see! Exports?"

Mary nodded, and her brave eyes drooped a little.

"Abingdon's finest export--in my opinion, at least--went to Arizona.
And--and he's in trouble, Mr. Boland; else I might not have told you
this. But it seemed so horrid of me--when he's in such dreadful trouble.
So, now you know."

"Arizona?" said Boland. "Why, there's where--Excuse me; I didn't mean to
pry."

"Yes, Stanley Mitchell. Only that you stick in your shell, like a turtle,
you'd have heard before now that we were engaged. Are engaged. And you
mustn't say a word. No one knows about the trouble--not even his uncle.
I've trusted you, Mr. Boland."

"See here, Miss Selden--I'm really not a bad sort. If I can be of any