“Perhaps when I tell you that I know something of your family’s entirely unnecessary solicitude as to Miss Johnston, you will appreciate the bad taste of pursuing the subject,” said Haynes. 

 Dick’s equable temper and habituated self-control stood him in good stead now. 

 “I am regarding you as standing in the place of Helga Johnston’s brother,” he said. 

 “Are you appealing to me for help in your family affairs?” asked the reporter rather contemptuously. 

 “I am trying to be as frank with you as I should like you to be with me,” returned the other steadily. “I want your consent to my sending for Everard to come down here.” 

 Haynes stared at him, amazed. “What do you mean by that?” 

 “Exactly what I say. There have been some hotheaded and unfortunate judgments on the part of my family, which report has greatly magnified. I realise now the full extent of the error.” 

 “And what has brought about this change of heart?” sneered the other. 

 “My acquaintance with Miss Johnston. There are some women who carry the impress of fineness and of character in their faces and their smallest actions. Even if I had learned nothing else about her, after seeing Helga Johnston I would think it an honour for any family to welcome her.” 

 Haynes’ face softened, but it still was with some harshness that he said: “There are other Coltons who think otherwise.” 

 “That is because they don’t know,” was the quick reply. “I want Everard to have his chance, and I’ve put this case before you because I know and respect your relation to Miss Johnston, and because I believe it is your right.” 

 “Yes, you’re fair about it,” said Haynes, and fell into deep thought. 

 “Of course,” said Dick uneasily, “if having Everard here is going to be—er—painful to you, I won’t ask him. I should have thought of that first. I don’t know that Everard would have a chance anyway.” 

 “Dr. Colton, I believe that Helga did care for your brother.” 

 “But is it an open field?” asked Dick impulsively. 

 A slight smile appeared on Haynes’ lined face. “You mean, do I want to marry Helga myself? She has never thought of 

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