y confounded and taken
aback. For a full moment the two faced each other in solemn silence. It
was Joyce who spoke.

"I heard you say you were coming. I was in when you and Miss Drew called
before, but I wasn't ready for company then. Won't you sit down?"

Mrs. Dale sank into the nearest chair from sheer helplessness.

"Please take off your cloak. The room is very warm."

It was stifling, and Ruth Dale unfastened and let fall the heavy
fur-lined wrap.

Joyce took Gaston's chair. The contact seemed to strengthen her.

"Miss Drew--has--sent--this note." Ruth held it out helplessly.

"Thank you. I know what is in it; but I cannot come. I am going away."
The proffered note fluttered to the floor.

"Going away?"

"Yes." The word was almost agonizing in its intensity. "Yes!"

"Please--Mrs. Lauzoon," Ruth Dale stammered the name; "please may I
hear where you are going? My friends are so interested in you. I--I--am
sorry for you. We could not bear to have you lonely and sad here--on
Christmas--but if you are going away to be--happy, we will all be so
glad."

"Please tell Mr. Drew," Joyce clutched the arms of the chair, and Ruth
Dale continued to stare helplessly at the exquisite beauty of this
mountain girl, "tell Mr. Drew--I am--going--to my husband."

"Your husband!"

"Yes; he will be so glad, Mr. Drew will. He has always been so--good.
Tell him, please--and I think he will understand--that he made it
possible for me--to do this--thing."

The human agony contained in these words carried all before it. Ruth
Dale got up from her chair, and almost ran across the room to Joyce's
side. She leaned over her and a wave of pity seemed to bear the two
women along to a point where words--words from the heart--were possible.

"I--I have heard your story, dear. Ralph Drew is such a kind
_gentleman_, and he--we, all of us--pity you from the bottom of our
hearts. Believe me, you are doing the right thing, hard and cruel as it
may seem now. When God sets you free--then alone can you really be free.
I think every good woman knows this. Man can only give freedom within
limitations. I know I am right. Have you heard from--your husband?"

"Yes. He has sent for me."

"Have you any message to leave? I will tell Mr. Drew anything you care
to entrust to me--he will deliver the message to--any one."

"Please--sit down." Joyce motioned stiffly to a chair across the table.
"I have a great deal to say to you."

Ruth obeyed with a