harrowing experiences up to the supreme torture where there is
nothing worse that can happen.

Courtland's knock brought him at once to the door. With both hands they
gave the fellowship grip that had meant so much to each in college.

A moment they stood so, looking into each other's eyes, Courtland,
wondering, startled, questioning. It was Gila, of course! Nothing else
could reach the man's soul and make him look like that! But what had
happened? Not death! No, not even death could bring that look of shame
and degradation to his high-minded friend's eyes.

As if Tennelly had read his question he spoke in a voice so husky with
emotion that his words were scarcely audible: "Didn't Pat tell you?"

Courtland shook his head.

Tennelly's head went down, as if he were waiting for courage to speak.
Then, huskily: "She's gone, Court!"

"Gone?"

"Left me, Court! She sailed at daybreak for Italy with another man."

Tennelly fumbled in his pocket and brought out a crumpled note,
blistered with tears. "Read it!" he muttered, and turned away to the
window.

Courtland read:

DEAR LEW,--I'm sure when you come to your senses
and get over some of your narrow ideas you'll be as much
relieved as I am over what I've decided to do. You and I
never were fitted for each other, and I can't stand this
life another day. I'm simply perishing! It's up to me to do
something, for I know, with your strait-laced notions, you
never will! So when you read this I shall be out of reach,
on my way to Italy with Count von Bremen. They say there's
going to be war in this country, anyway, and I hate such
things, so I had to get out of it. You won't have any
trouble in getting a divorce, and you'll soon be glad I did
it.

As for the kid, if she lives she's much better off with you
than with me, for you know I never could stand children;
they get on my nerves. And, anyhow, I never could be all the
things you tried to make me, and it's better in the end this
way. So good-by, and don't try to come after me. I won't
come back, no matter what you do, for I'm bored to death
with the last two years and I've got to see some life!

GILA

Courtland read the flippant little note twice before he trusted himself
to speak, and then he walked over to the window, slowly smoothing and
folding the crumpled paper. A