dollars and cents than of daisies and sentiment. Latterly he had gotten in the way of calling her his dear lady, but in his manner as using this and kindred expressions there was more of friendly admiration for her intellectual capability than of homage to her strictly feminine attributes. Respect, admiration and sincere friendship, these were the emotions which she believed that she had kindled in Joe Embry.
Yet … and the mental reservation was but natural … other men of whom she had seen far less than of Joe Embry made love lightly or seriously, either prompted to an expression of that which she awoke in their souls or just for the sake of weaving bright wings for the passing hours. Joe Embry enjoyed the sole distinction of being a man who appreciated her, who liked her and still who never sought to lure her into the sentimental land of sweet dalliance. Joe Embry and … the sudden thought coming to her contracted her brows … the impudent Bill Steele. The man at her side and the man toward whom she was now hastening, that she might mete out proper punishment for his presumption; the man who seemed never to have thought of her as every man must think of some woman, and the laughing man who had said gaily:
"You see, I'm not in love with you, I'm not planning to fall for your quaint charm."
The rebellious thought flashed into Beatrice's mind:
"Just for that, Mr. William Steele, I could make you fall for me! And I would … if you were worth it …"
At the wide swerve of the river known as the Big
