I am afraid she _is_ dead.' Just then Charles came in with lights and the chocolate his master always took before retiring, and so Frank said good-night, and went out upon the broad piazza, hoping the night air would cool his heated brow, or that the laughter and prattle of Jack and Maude, who were frolicking on the gravel walk, would drown the voice of the shadow which said to him: 'But for the number of years he says it is since he saw Gretchen, there could be no doubt, and you would be the biggest rascal living.

As it is, you need not distress yourself--Jerry is nothing to him; and if she were, you have gone too far now to go back.

People would never respect you again.

And then there is Maude.

You cannot disgrace her.' No, he could not disgrace his darling Maude, who, as if guessing that he was thinking of her, came up the steps to his side, and seating herself upon his lap, pushed the hair from his forehead with her soft fingers, and kissed him lovingly as she was wont to do.
'My beautiful Maude,' he thought, for he knew she would be beautiful, with her black hair, and starry eyes, and brilliant complexion, and he loved her with all the strength of his nature.