I was compelled to choose instantly between his mercy and yours; the--the difference seemed small enough then, but--but I realized you were frightened also, and--and so I preferred to trust you.
That was all; it was my fate, and--and, well I did n't care much how it ended." "But you endeavored to escape from me; you sought to compel my leaving you ?" She lifted her face again, flushing, saddened, slightly indignant, the brown eyes widening.
"Perhaps the soul was not all dead," she returned gravely.

"Perhaps womanhood was not all gone.

I did not know you; I was in terror." "And now ?" Our eyes met, her own cleared of tears, gazing frankly at me.
"I am not afraid; I believe I have found a man, and a friend." I was conscious of a sudden wild throb of the heart, a swift rush of blood through my veins.
"I might have doubted that myself a while ago," I acknowledged almost bitterly, "but now I am going to make good.

Lord! how a fellow can run to seed when he lets himself go.

Don't you know you are helping me, as much as I am you?
You didn't find much out there--only a drunken discharged soldier, an ex-hobo, with a laborer's job.