aughed.

"Forgotten you! I should think not. You are never out of his thoughts.
He won't admit it, but I know it. He loves you to-day better than he
ever did."

"Then why, if he knows where I am, doesn't he come to me?"

Hadley clenched his fist. Vehemently, almost angrily, he answered:

"Because he's a fool. He said he wouldn't come to you until you sent
for him, and he hasn't the moral courage to change his mind--he's
afraid to be laughed at."

Virginia shook her head. Sadly she said:

"Then I'm afraid the breach will never be healed. If he is proud, I am
not less so. I shall never send for him."

"But you can't go on like this, my dear Mrs. Stafford," he protested.
"You really can't. You'll make yourself ill. It's not the kind of life
you're fitted for."

"What else can I do?" she inquired. "Teach? I have not the patience.
Go into a store? It is too humiliating. No, this is the best I can
think of. I'm living with my sister. I am comfortable and as happy as
I can expect to be under the circumstances."

"But won't you change your mind, won't you forgive Bob?" he persisted.
"Let me go back to him now with a message from you. It is all he is
waiting for, I know it--just one word. It will make him the happiest
of men!"

Virginia shook her head.

"You are very kind, Mr. Hadley. I know you mean well, and that you are
my friend. My husband and I understand one another perfectly. Neither
will consent to send for the other, so the situation will remain
exactly where it is."

He rose to go.

"Is this final?"

She shook her head decisively.

"Yes--it is final."

"You will never go back to him?"

"Not till he comes for me."

He grasped her hand and the next minute was lost to view in the crowd.

All that night, while the Gillies slumbered peacefully, Virginia
tossed restlessly on her bed, thinking over what Mr. Hadley had told
her. Try as she would, she was unable to banish thoughts of her
husband from her mind. If he still cared for her, if he missed her,
why didn't he come for her? If he himself suffered, why did he let her
go on weeping out her heart in this way? Why should two human beings
allow their pride to make them suffer so abominably? She thought she
would show herself the more generous of the two; and send him a
message, urging him to come at once. Then, as she recalled his stern,
merciless words, she again rebelled. No--no--it would degrade her in
his eyes if she weakened! She would not--s