one to help you, go to your friend, Mr. Geoffrey. Good-by, dear--and
remember your promise.

Ravenslee passed back the pencilled scrawl and Spike, bending his head
low, read it through again.

"I guess I've just got t' be good," he murmured, "for her sake. Oh,
Geoff," he cried suddenly, "I'd die for her!"

"Better live for her, Spike, and be the honourable, clean man she
wishes."

"She sure thinks you're some man, Geoff! I guess she's--kind o'--fond of
you."

"That's what I've come to talk about, Spike."

"Are you--fond of her, Geoff?"

"Fond!" exclaimed Ravenslee, forgetting to drawl, "I'm so fond--I love
her so much--I honour her so deeply that I want her for my wife."

"Wife?" exclaimed Spike, starting to his feet, his eyes suddenly
radiant, "d'ye mean you'll marry her?"

"If she will honour me so far, Spike."

"Marry her! You'll marry her!" Spike repeated.

"As soon as she'll let me!"