I beg that you will at once telegraph him my respectful declination." Clayton rose with a look on his face which completed Wade's thorough annoyance.

"Stop, sir; stop! Think before you throw away all your chances in life! You can have a whole day to think this over.

Would you forfeit Mr.Worthington's regard and so lose your place ?" There was a strident anger in the manager's harsh voice.

But Clayton, realizing that he had even till now not been able to gain Irma's pictured face, looked forward to the heart-wreck of this enforced absence.

"If I am to be cast out like a dog after my faithful service, then you must do it, sir," gravely said Clayton, Witherspoon's warnings returning to stiffen his resolution.