I heard you say--that day--that you would like to be a farmer's wife.

Well--if you really meant it--you have your opportunity." "Mr.Ironside!" She was gazing at him in wide-eyed amazement.
A dark flush rose in his swarthy face under her eyes, "I had to say it," he said with heavy deliberation, "though I know I'm only hammering nails into my own coffin.

I had to take my only chance of telling you.

Of course, I know you won't listen.

I'm not of your sort--respectable enough, but not quite--not quite--" He broke off grimly, and for an instant his teeth showed clenched upon his lower lip.