you than your own happiness. This nobility of your character is the very touchstone and measure of your womanliness."
She paused on the threshold a moment, then hurried away.
The whole day Marrion spent in sympathy with her. If he could find but some way to make Robert promise never to touch another drop of drink, he knew he would be safe; for he was one man who never made a promise but to keep.
Of ever securing his promise, he sometimes despaired, but not for the world would he hint it to Cherokee.
As the day wore to a close the wind came in fitful gusts; a pale moon glittered faintly among the ragged clouds that drifted across the sky like sails torn from wrecked ships. Cherokee sat by the window watching for Robert.
In that warm latitude the soft, dewless hours are spent in lightless rooms or on piazzas. The daffodil tints of the higher sky were reddening to a guinea gold. There was no other light except the moon. Marrion sat just outside, smoking; he was allured again and again by a strong sense of Cherokee's beauty of face and pose, enticed by some spiritual vivacity, and hazed by cares.
