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 "Yes, I know that," and her face strangely softened.

"I just couldn't refuse him, though I knew it might cost"

"Hush," she warned, "we must bear it," then her eyes fell; she held her breath, and this electrical sympathy between heart and heart told her that she had betrayed herself to him.

Only a moment he hesitated, the next he laid his hand on the back of the chair she had just taken.

"Cherokee, I have a question to ask you; it is best that all should be clear between us, for I want to be your friend—want you to come to me feeling that I would protect you in all things except"

"Except that I will allow you to advise me."

"Then tell me, what is Willard Frost to you?" he asked, with quick breath.

"Nothing at all, I only tolerate him because Robert says he needs his influence," she answered, solemnly.

"Well, I can't understand how a man like that could help anyone, and I was shocked when I heard of your going with him to visit that patient."

"Marrion, I thought my husband wished me to go."

"On the contrary, he was hurt. It was not the