"Glenn, is that girl in love with you?" asked Carley, bluntly.

To her amaze, Glenn laughed. When had she heard him laugh? It thrilled

her, yet nettled her a little.

"If that isn't like you!" he ejaculated. "Your very first words after we

are left alone! It brings back the East, Carley."

"Probably recall to memory will be good for you," returned Carley. "But

tell me. Is she in love with you?"

"Why, no, certainly not!" replied Glenn. "Anyway, how could I answer

such a question? It just made me laugh, that's all."

"Humph! I can remember when you were not above making love to a pretty

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girl. You certainly had me worn to a frazzle--before we became engaged,"

said Carley.

"Old times! How long ago they seem!... Carley, it's sure wonderful to

see you."

"How do you like my gown?" asked Carley, pirouetting for his benefit.

"Well, what little there is of it is beautiful," he replied, with a slow

smile. "I always liked you best in white. Did you remember?"

"Yes. I got the gown for you. And I'll never wear it except for you."

"Same old coquette--same old eternal feminine," he said, half sadly.

"You know when you look stunning.... But, Carley, the cut of that--or

rather the abbreviation of it--inclines me to think that style for

women's clothes has not changed for the better. In fact, it's worse than

two years ago in Paris and later in New York. Where will you women draw

the line?"

"Women are slaves to the prevailing mode," rejoined Carley. "I don't

imagine women who dress would ever draw a line, if fashion went on

dictating."

"But would they care so much--if they had to work--plenty of work--and

children?" inquired Glenn, wistfully.

"Glenn! Work and children for modern women? Why, you are dreaming!" said

Carley, with a laugh.

She saw him gaze thoughtfully into the glowing embers of the fire, and

as she watched him her quick intuition grasped a subtle change in his

mood. It brought a sternness to his face. She could hardly realize she

was looking at the Glenn Kilbourne of old.

"Come close to the fire," he said, and pulled up a chair for her. Then

he threw more wood upon the red coals. "You must be careful not to catch

cold out here. The altitude makes a cold dangerous. And that gown is no

protection."




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