"I did have some such idea when I left," he confessed. "It wasn't until I was broke and unable to find work that I realized how hopeless it was to think of you."
"I couldn't bear being poor, Larry," the girl spoke with some feeling.
"We were poor once. Be sensible. Go back home and make up with Mr. Lawrence--and when I return"----
"I am making a good salary," he said steadily. "I can support two. If you care enough"----
"I couldn't marry a mere ball player," she said, shrugging with disdain.
"You used to like it when I played at the ranch and at college," he retorted angrily.
"That was different," she argued. "There you were a hero--but here you are a mere professional."
"I had to to-day. I am on my way to visit Uncle Barney for the summer, and his friend insisted upon taking us to the game."
"Oh, see here, Helen," he protested. "He's your uncle, but everyone knows he is crooked in politics and in business. Why do you accept his money?"
"He is very good to me--and I cannot bear to be poor again."
"Be reasonable, Larry," she interrupted. '"You know I cannot marry a poor man."
"Then it was only the money you cared for," he said bitterly. "Uncle Jim said it was, and I quarreled with him for saying it--and it was true."
"You put it coarsely," she said coldly. "You cannot expect me to give up the luxuries Uncle Barney provides for me and marry a ball player. Unless you make it up with your uncle I shall consider myself free."
A stifled exclamation, like a gasp of surprise, startled them, and a rustle of retreating garments in the adjoining parlor caused McCarthy to step quickly to the doorway. He was just in time to recognize the gown. He realized that Betty Tabor had overheard part of the conversation, and he wondered how much.
"Some eavesdropper, I suppose," Miss Baldwin remarked carelessly.
"She came by accident, probably to read, and departed as soon as she realized it was a private conversation," he said warmly.
"Yes," he replied, realizing he had betrayed undue interest in the defense.
"One of the women with the team, daughter of the secretary," he explained, striving to appear unconcerned.
"Why--yes--I don't know. She is very pleasant and nice looking."
"Rather odd, isn't it, a woman traveling with a lot of tough ball players?"
