"I could have spared the money, and I was a friend of his." He had proved a staunch friend, though he had been hardly tried.

For several years he had been Sylvia's devoted servant, and an admirer of the more accomplished Marston.

When the girl chose the latter it was a cruel blow to George, for he had never regarded his comrade as a possible rival; but after a few weeks of passionate bitterness, he had quietly acquiesced.

He had endeavored to blame neither; though there were some who did not hold Sylvia guiltless.

George was, as she well knew, her faithful servant still; and this was largely why she meant to tell him her tragic story.
"Well," she said, "when I first went out to the prairie, I was almost appalled.