“I’m going to marry Travers Gladwin to-night.”
Travers Gladwin reeled a little where he stood, met and turned from the beaming stare of Whitney Barnes. As he did so Helen came very close to him, laid her hand on his arm and said tremulously:
“You are his best friend. Tell me honestly, don’t you think I’m right in wanting to marry him?”
This was a poser, but when he did summon an answer it came right out from the heart, his eyes devouring the beautiful girl before him as he spoke.
“Nothing on earth would please me so much as to have you marry Travers Gladwin, and I promise you now that I am going to do everything in my power to persuade you to do it.”
“Oh, I am so glad!” Helen thanked him. A moment later she added with a perplexed smile: “But why did you talk about his bravery as you did?”
“Well, you see”––the young man stopped.
“I suppose,” Helen suggested brightly, “being so very fond of him, you hated the idea of his marrying. Was that it?”
“Yes, but that was before I saw you. I hope you are going to like his best friend just a little.”