difficult; the fervor of his half-whispered words took possession
of her. She had expected sentiment of such a different character
that his frank confession disarmed her completely. Beneath his
ardent, abrupt plea there was assurance, the confidence of one who
is not to be denied. It was not what he said, but the way he said
it. A wave of exultation swept over her, tingling through every
nerve. Under the spell her resolution to dally lightly with his
emotion suffered a check that almost brought ignominious
surrender. Both of her hands were clasped in his when he
exultingly resumed the charge against her heart, but she was
rapidly regaining control of her emotions and he did not know that
he was losing ground with each step he took forward. Barbara Drew
loved Brewster, but she was going to make him pay dearly for the
brief lapse her composure had experienced. When next she spoke she
was again the Miss Drew who had been trained in the ways of the
world, and not the young girl in love.

"I care for you a great deal, Monty," she said, "but I'm wondering
whether I care enough to--to marry you."

"We haven't known each other very long, Babs," he said, tenderly,
"but I think we know each other well enough to be beyond
wondering."

"It is like you to manage the whole thing," she said, chidingly.
"Can't you give me time to convince myself that I love you as you
would like, and as I must love if I expect to be happy with the
man I marry?"

"I forgot myself," he said, humbly.