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“I’m he’s

FLAMING

beginning

YOUTH

to believe

you.

But

I still think

33

She flattened a hand gently across his lips. “No, yor don’t. He’s the best man I’ve ever known. Except, perhaps, you, Bobs. If you were in Monty’s place and I came to you and told the whole thing you’d marry me anyway, wouldn’t you?” “Yes, of course.”

“But you don’t think Monty would?” “IT didn’t say so. He’s very young and—and unformed.” Pat fell into a reverie. “It was really my mind that Cary seduced. He drew my mind,into his and—and sort of absorbed it, so that I couldn’t get any satisfaction out of other associations. You wouldn’t call him a damned scoundrel for that § “I’m not so sure I wouldn’t.” than the other. It goes deeper.” “You’re getting profound, Pat, as well as clever.” In spite of his perturbation, the doctor smiled. “Though | you’re talking casuistry.”
 * “__but it’s the thing he’s most to blame for. It’s worse

“J don’t know what that is.

I’m talking sense.

Te:

almost forgotten that Cary and I were lovers. But there’s | something way down deep in my mind that he'll never lose his hold on.” “You’re in love with him yet, then!”

“T’m not!? she denied vehemently. “I’m in love with! Monty. Violently.” “JT wish he were ten years older. Or a thousand or so) wiser. is, no.

Then I’d say, ‘Tell him the whole thing.’ As it He’s marrying your future, not your past. If

you’re going to play straight with him——”