The threat of a rival--even of such a preposterous rival as Tasper
Britt--served as detonator in the case of Frank Vaniman, and the
explosion of his emotions produced sympathetic results in the girl
across the table from him. He leaped up, strode around to her and put
out his arms, and she rushed into the embrace he offered.

But their mutual consolations were denied them--he was obliged to dam
back his choking speech and she her blessed tears.

A depositor came stamping in.

They were calm, with their customary check on emotions, when they were
free to talk after the man had gone away.

"Vona, I did not mean to speak out to you so soon," he told her. "Not
but what it was in here"--he patted his breast--"and fairly boiling all
the time!"

She assured him, with a timid look, that her own emotions had not been
different from his.

"But I have respected your obligations," he went on, with earnest
candor. "And this is the first real job I've ever had. It's best to be
honest with each other."

She agreed fervently.

"I wish we could be just as honest with Britt. But we both know what
kind of a man he is. The sentiment of 'Love, and the world well lost' is
better in a book than it is in this bank just now, as matters stand with