if you wish. You won't be under any obligation, for I have money lying idle
in the bank. When you have only yourself to support it will not take you long
to earn the sum."

There seemed nothing else for her to do and so it was arranged. With
tear-blinded eyes she made her simple mourning, and within a week after her
mother's death was at work again, eager to repay her debt. He urged her not
to hasten--to take all the rest she could while the hot weather lasted, and
few evenings passed that he did not come to take her out for a walk through
the quieter streets.

By this time he had won her confidence completely, and her heart overflowed
with gratitude. Of course she was not so unsophisticated as not to know
whither all this attention was tending, but it was a great relief to her mind
that his courtship was so quiet and undemonstrative. Her heart was sore and
grief-stricken, and she was not conscious of any other feeling toward him than
the deepest gratitude and wish to make such return as was within her power.
He was apparently very frank in regard to his past life, and nothing was said
which excited her suspicions. Indeed, she felt that it would be disloyalty to
think of questioning or surmising evil of one who had proved himself so true a
friend in her sore need. She was therefore somewhat prepared for the words he
spoke one warm September day, as they sat together in a little shaded park.

"Alida," he said, a little nervously, "we are both strangers and alone in this
world, but surely we are no longer strangers to each other. Let us go quietly
to some minister and be married. That is the best way for you to pay your
debt and keep me always in debt to you."

She was silent a moment, then faltered, "I'd rather pay all my debt first."