find something to do, worth doing--and do it.... Deane's friendship
might ripen into something mellower, and then....

He reached into an inner pocket and withdrew a telegram, bending
nearer the fireplace to read it.

Washington, D. C.

Richard Terry, Crampville, Vermont.

Wire will you accept commission second lieutenant Philippine
Constabulary period immediate decision essential period if
you accept wire date you will be able to sail from San
Francisco

Wilson Insular Bureau

The glow from the fire which ruddied his face revealed the struggle of
the minute before decision came. With an expression curiously mingled
of renunciation and relief he tossed the paper among the glowing
embers. He rose as the sheet took fire and in the brief flash of light
which marked the consumption of the telegram he saw a familiar-looking
package on the library table in the shadow cast by his big chair. He
carried it to the now fainter glow of the hearth and saw that it was
addressed to him in Deane's trim hand. He opened it eagerly, to see
what form her remembrance had taken.

It was the fox-skin, returned. Vague, trouble-eyed, he read the
inclosed note.

DEAR DICK:--

I am sending you back your present. Father insists, because
you secured it on Sunday.

It hurts me, Dick, dreadfully, but you know how he feels
about such things.

It is the loveliest present I ever received--and it makes me
want to cry, sometimes, when I think of your doing such
things for me and thinking about me as you do. I _AM_
crying, now, Dick.

Though I can not have it, your present will always be
mine--I can never forget that you were good enough to wish
me to have it.

And will you accept my very best wishes that your Christmas
may be a very merry one.

DEANE.

He sank back into the chair again, sickened.... "That your Christmas
may be a very merry one."

* * * * *

Susan, first down in the morning, raised the curtains to the brilliant
Christmas morning, and turned to find him sitting in the chilled room
before the dead fire. Shocked by the haggard face, she hurried to him.

"Dick, are you sick?" As she sank by the side of his chair her hand
brushed against the rich fur wh