— some things. I didn’t understand. Then his father came and took him away. And — after a little — I found out — oh, Valancy, — I was so frightened. I didn’t know what to do. I wrote him — and he came. He — he said he would marry me, Valancy.”

“And why — and why? — ”

“Oh, Valancy, he didn’t love me any more. I saw that at a glance. He — he was just offering to marry me because he thought he ought to — because he was sorry for me. He wasn’t bad — but he was so young — and what was I that he should keep on loving me?”

“Never mind making excuses for him,” said Valancy a bit shortly. “So you wouldn’t marry him?’’

“I