ace of agony! Carley saw it differently. But for the beautiful
softness of light in his eyes, she would have been unable to endure
gazing longer.

"Carley, I'm bitter," he said, "but I'm not rancorous and callous, like
some of the boys. I know if you'd been my girl you'd have stuck to me."

"Yes," Carley whispered.

"That makes a difference," he went on, with a sad smile. "You see, we
soldiers all had feelings. And in one thing we all felt alike. That was
we were going to fight for our homes and our women. I should say women
first. No matter what we read or heard about standing by our allies,
fighting for liberty or civilization, the truth was we all felt the
same, even if we never breathed it.... Glenn fought for you. I fought
for Nell.... We were not going to let the Huns treat you as they treated
French and Belgian girls.... And think! Nell was engaged to me--she
loved me--and, by God! She married a slacker when I lay half dead on the
battlefield!"

"She was not worth loving or fighting for," said Carley, with agitation.

"Ah! now you've said something," he declared. "If I can only hold to
that truth! What does one girl amount to? I do not count. It is the sum
that counts. We love America--our homes--our women!... Carley, I've had
comfort and strength come to me through you. Glenn will have his reward
in your love. Somehow I seem to share it, a little. Poor Glenn! He got
his, too. Why, Carley, that guy wouldn't let you do what he could do for
you. He was cut to pieces--"

"Please--Rust--don't say any more. I am unstrung," she pleaded.

"Why not? It's due you to know how splendid Glenn was.... I tell you,
Carley, all the boys here love you for the way you've stuck to Glenn.
Some of them knew him, and I've told the rest. We thought he'd never
pull through. But he has, and we know how you helped. Going West to see
him! He didn't write it to me, but I know.... I'm wise. I'm happy for
him--the lucky dog. Next time you go West--"

"Hush!" cried Carley. She could endure no more. She could no longer be a
lie.

"You're white--you're shaking," exclaimed Rust, in concern. "Oh, I--what
did I say? Forgive me--"

"Rust, I am no more worth loving and fighting for than your Nell."

"What!" he ejaculated.

"I have not told you the truth," she said, swiftly. "I have let you
believe a lie.... I shall never marry Glenn. I broke my engagement to
him."

Slowly Rust sank back upon the pillow, his large luminous eyes
pierci