ive me out to the restaurant there in the
park, and we could have dinner there, just as though we weren't married
just as though we were sweethearts again. Oh, I do hope the weather
will be fine."

"Oh," answered Jadwin, "you mean Wednesday evening. Dear old girl,
honestly, I--I don't believe I can make it after all. You see,
Wednesday--"

Laura sat suddenly erect.

"But you said," she began, her voice faltering a little, "you said--"

"Honey, I know I did, but you must let me off this time again."

She did not answer. It was too dark for him to see her face; but,
uneasy at her silence, he began an elaborate explanation. Laura,
however, interrupted. Calmly enough, she said:

"Oh, that's all right. No, no, I don't mind. Of course, if you are
busy."

"Well, you see, don't you, old girl?"

"Oh, yes, yes, I see," she answered. She rose.

"I think," she said, "we had better be going home. Don't you?"

"Yes, I do," he assented. "I'm pretty tired myself. I've had a hard
day's work. I'm thirsty, too," he added, as he got up. "Would you like
to have a drink of water, too?"

She shook her head, and while he disappeared in the direction of the
Cresslers' dining-room, she stood alone a moment in the darkened room
looking out into the street. She felt that her cheeks were hot. Her
hands, hanging at her sides, shut themselves into tight fists.

"What, you are all alone?" said Corthell's voice, behind her.

She turned about quickly.

"I must be going," he said. "I came to say good night." He held out his
hand.

"Good night," she answered, as she gave him hers. Then all at once she
added:

"Come to see me again--soon, will you? Come Wednesday night."

And then, his heart leaping to his throat, Corthell felt her hand, as
it lay in his, close for an instant firmly about his fingers.

"I shall expect you Wednesday then?" she repeated.

He crushed her hand in his grip, and suddenly bent and kissed it.

"Good night," she said, quietly. Jadwin's step sounded at the doorway.

"Good night," he whispered, and in another moment was gone.

During these days Laura no longer knew herself. At every hour she
changed; her moods came and went with a rapidity that bewildered all
those who were around her. At times her gaiety filled the whole of her
beautiful house; at times she shut herself in her apartments, denying
herself to every one, and, her head bowed upon her folded arms, wept as
though her heart was breaking, without