especially drab, starts into wakefulness to rub the bruise, and
looking around exclaims, "And this is love!"

Well, it was love. But a rose-garden will not long remain beautiful if
no care is taken of what may intrude.

If we but stand sentinel at the door, exercising a nice discretion,
the garden may likely remain unsoiled, its air uncontaminated.



IV.

George said that though across the first portion of the scheme he had
so laboriously planned he had been shot at lightning speed by the
vehicle of Mary's action, its latter portion yet remained to be
discussed. "We've got to marry, dearest--and as quick as quick. We
can't go on like this--seeing each other once a week. No, not even if
it were once a day. It's got to be always."

"Always and always, dear," Mary said softly.

Women are more intoxicated than men by the sudden atmosphere of that
new world. The awe of it was still upon her. The light of love comes
strongly to men, with the sensation of bright sunshine; to women as
through stained glass windows, softly.

She continued: "Fancy saying 'always' and being glad to say it! I
never thought I could. Do you know--will this frighten you?--I am one
of those people who dread the idea of 'always.' I never could bear the