Page:Keeping the Peace.pdf/120

 John stepped quickly into the little leather shop and shut the door behind him. "My brother," he said, "promised me that he would come. He gave me his word of honor. So I went to sleep with a clear conscience. This morning I found that he had run away . . . I think you are well rid of him."

During this recital her face had turned hard and scornful. "I may be rid of him," she said, "but he's not rid of me."

"I feel the same way about him," said John. "I want to see him punished."

"He will be," exclaimed the girl, and she clenched her fists.

"They usually are—in the end," said John; "at least I hope they are. Meanwhile what you need is money so that you can live and a name to protect you against gossip." He tried to show her a light-hearted smile. "Will you take mine?"

She did not understand at first and he had to explain.

"You're all dressed up and expecting to get married, and I don't choose to have you disappointed. James is out of the question. Will I do?"

Her face softened and her eyes began to fill. She came a step closer to him. "Say," she said, "you're a real man, you are."

"It's about the only thing we can do," said