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Paula had left for bed at ten o'clock Not till one did the bridge break up Dick, his arht to Graham where one of the divided ways led to the watch tower, and continued on with his pretty sister-in-laard her quarters

"Just a tip, Ernestine," he said at parting, his gray eyes frankly and genially on hers, but his voice sufficiently serious to warn her

"What have I been doing now?" she pouted laughingly

"Nothing as yet But don't get started, or you'll be laying up a sore heart for yourself You're only a kid yet--eighteen; and a darned nice, likable kid at that Enough to make 'most any man sit up and take notice But Evan Graham is not 'most any man--"

"Oh, I can take care ofof quick resentment

"But listen to irl when the love-bee gets a buzzing with a very loud hum in her pretty noddle Then is the ti man You haven't fallen in love with Evan Graham yet, and all you have to do is just not to fall in love with hi He's an oldster, an ancient, and possibly has forgotten s, than you'll ever learn in a dozen lives If he ever ain!" Ernestine broke in

"Why, he's been a er, my dear, for over fifteen years"

"Then what of it?" she demanded defiantly

"Just this," Dick continued quietly "He's lived the young-thing romance, and lived it wonderfully; and, froain, means--"

"That he's never recovered from his loss?" Ernestine interpolated "But that's no proof--"

"--Means that he's got over his apprenticeship to wild young romance," Dick held on steadily "All you have to do is look at him and realize that he has not lacked opportunities, and that, on occasion, soiven him foot-races that tested his wind and endurance But so far they've not succeeded in catching his, you kno filled the world is with them for a hts away from him If you don't let your heart start to warrievous chill later on"