It is for your sake, as well as my own, that I am driven to speak thus frankly, and I am certain you will not add to my pain, my embarrassment, by asking more definite explanation." His heart beating like a trip-hammer, Winston stood motionless, staring into the girl's appealing face, suddenly aroused to her full meaning, and as thoroughly awakened to a conception of what she really had become to him.

The thought of losing her, losing her perhaps to another, seemed to chill his very soul.
"Assuredly, I will respect your secret," he answered, mastering his voice with an effort.

"I understand when I am bowled out.

What is it you desire me to do ?" He could not perceive in that dim light the sudden mist of tears clouding her eyes, but she lifted her gloved hand and swept them aside.
"It is not easy to say such things, yet I must.

I wish you to go away; go back to Denver," she exclaimed; then, all at once, her strained voice broke into a little sob.