y marked the beginning
of her vacation. That was partly her fault, because for the last week
she had neglected to speak of it.

Ordinarily she did not permit him to come all the way back to the
house with her; but this night he had so much to talk about that she
did not protest. Yes, and she was too weak to protest, anyway. All the
things he talked about--his fears, his hopes, speculations, and
doubts--she had heard over and over again. But it was the sound of his
voice to which she clung. To-morrow and after to-morrow everything
would be changed, and she would never hear him talk like this again.
He was excited to-night, and buoyant and quick with life. He laughed a
great deal, and several times he spoke very tenderly to her.

They had reached her door, and something in her eyes--for the life of
him he could not tell what--caused him to look up at the stars. They
were all there in their places.

"Look at 'em," he said. "They seem nearer to-night than I've ever seen
them."

[Illustration: "I GUESS WOMEN ARE DIFFERENT FROM MEN"]

She was a bit jealous of those stars. It had been when with her that
he had first seen them.

"You aren't looking," he complained.

She turned her eyes to the sky. To her they seemed farther away than
ever.

"Maybe Frances is looking at those same stars," he said.

She resented the suggestion. She turned her eyes back to the street.

"Where's the star I gave you?" he asked.

"It's gone," she answered.

"Have you lost it?"

"I can't see it."

"Now, look here," he chided her lightly. "I don't call that very nice.
You don't have a star given you every night."

"I told you I didn't need to have them given to me, because I could
take all I wanted myself. You don't own the stars too."

"I feel to-night as if I did," he laughed. "I'll have to pick out
another for you." He searched the heavens for one that suited him. He
found one just beyond the Big Dipper, that shone steadily and quietly,
like her eyes. He pointed it out to her.

"I'll give you that one, and please don't lose it."

She was not looking.

"Do you see it?" he insisted.

She was forced to look. After all, he could afford to give her one out
of so many, and it would be something to remember him by.

"Yes," she answered, with a break in her voice.

"That one is yours," he assured her.

It was as if he added, "All the rest belong to Frances."

She held out her hand to him.

"Thank you for your star," she sai