wealth, with himself as the only incumbrance, she acted promptly and
characteristically.

But perhaps it can be safely said that in no den of iniquity in the
city could Walter Gregory have received such moral injury as poisoned
his very soul when, in Mr. Bently's elegant and respectable parlor,
the "angel" he worshipped "explained how she was situated," and from a
"sense of duty" stated her purpose to yield to the wishes of her
friends. Gregory had often seen Mr. Grobb, but had given him no
thought, supposing him some elderly relative of the family. That this
was the accepted suitor of the girl who had, with tender, meaning
glances, sung for him sentimental ballads, who had sweetly talked to
him of religion and mission work, seemed a monstrous perversion. Call
it unjust, unreasonable, if you will, yet it was the most natural
thing in the world for one possessing his sensitive, intense nature to
pass into harsh, bitter cynicism, and to regard Miss Bently as a
typical girl of the period.

A young man is far on the road to evil when he loses faith in woman.
During the formative period of character she is, of earthly
influences, the most potent in making or marring him. A kind refusal,
where no false encouragement has been given, often does a man good,
and leaves his faith intact; but an experience similar to that of
young Gregory is like putting into a fountain that which may stain and
embitter the waters of the stream in all its length.

At the early age of twenty-two he became what is usually understood by
the phrase "a man of the world." Still his moral nature could not sink
into the depths without many a bitter outcry against its wrongs. It
was with no slight effort that he drowned the memory of his early home