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It was hard for Barbara to realize that she had associated with a thief--just for a moment it was hard, until recollection forced upon her the unwelcome fact of the status of another whoirl did not wince at the thought--instead she squared her shoulders and raised her chin

"I am proud of him, whatever heof the new bookkeeper When she did think again of Bridge it was to be glad that he had escaped--"for he is an American, like myself"

"Well!" exclaimed a voice behind her "You played us a pretty trick, Miss Barbara"

The girl turned to see Grayson approaching To her surprise he seereeted him courteously

"I couldn't let you turn an American over to General Villa," she said, "no matter what he had done"

"I liked your spirit," said the irl I ben lookin' fer all ot 'em both You liked thet bookkeepin' critter, an' he wasn't half a man I like you an' I airl drew back in astonish yourself"

"No I ain't," he cried hoarsely "I love you an' I'oin' to have you You'd love rasped her arirl pushed him aith one hand, and with the other struck him across the face

Grayson dropped her arht and looked hio now," she said, her voice like ice "I shall never speak of this to anyone--provided you never attempt to repeat it"

The man made no reply The blow in the face had cooled his ardor temporarily, but had it not also served another purpose?--to crystallize it into a firm and inexorable resolve

When he had departed Barbara turned and entered the house