"Don't, please don't." "I won't, dear,--I won't call you mine until you say I may,--but, oh, Patty!" His voice was so full of deep feeling, his eves pleaded so longingly for her consent, that Patty's heart went out to him.

She was sorry for him, and she honestly longed to say the word that would give him joy and gladness forever.

But that very feeling taught her the truth about herself.

She knew, in one sudden, illuminating flash, that she didn't and couldn't love Philip Van Reypen in the way she was sure she wanted to love and would love the man she should marry.
Nor could she speak lightly or carelessly to him now.

It was a crisis.
A good, true man had offered her his love and his life.