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e. Now, after all these years--years when you seemed to have forgotten my very existence and the thing which you had once called love--I return to America, praised and honored by those who in the old days had treated me so lightly, you among the rest." "That's not true," broke in Gordon. "I always loved you." "But we parted," continued Mrs. Dainton, bitterly. "And if I had returned, needing your help instead of being able to reject all that you can give, would you have come to me again?" "You know I should have." "No, Sanford, we seek only that which is beyond our reach," she said softly, laying her hand on his arm. "The candle has burned out. Do not try to relight it. I have been only an incident in your life--" "That's not true." "Don't you suppose I know about the others?" "They were nothing to me. It was you, always you." "One who has been through the mill doesn't care to be crushed by the mill-stones a second time. Take my advice, Sanford--return to New York, seek out some nice young girl, and marry her." "Never!" "Really!" Mrs. Dainton laughed lightly as she ran down the steps and was helped into the car by the vigilant Victor. "Ta-ta, Sanford, I'll see you to-morrow, or the day after." And in another moment the big, red touring-car had whirled away, leaving upon the steps the solitary figure of a tall, dark, good-looking chap of uncertain age, who clenched his hands tightly, then turned suddenly as a bell-boy passed along the veranda. "Boy!" "Yes, sir." "Tell my valet to pack up at once. I'm leaving for New York to-night." "Yes, sir. Very good, sir," closing a responsive palm. "Thank you, sir." CHAPTER III INTRODUCING MARTHA FARNUM In the cosmopolitan atmosphere of any famous health resort, strangely contrasting types are often found. Amid the vain, the foolish, the inebriates and the idle who flocked to the Springs for amusement and diversion, there were a few who really came to seek health. For three months, the gay passers-by on the shaded walks near the hotel had noticed one such, an elderly lady, feeble, gray-haired, evidently recovering from a severe illness, who invariably occupied a wheel-chair, the motive power for which was furnished by a most attractive young girl always clad in simple black. The girl was about nineteen, slender, graceful, with the clear and partly sunburnt complexion which comes from life spent much in the open air. Her eyes and hair wer
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