ad
built would be destroyed. But nothing happened. She was told she would
be notified in a day or two if she would be taken on, and with that she
was forced to be content.

She had a bad moment, however, for Graham came through the office on his
way out, and stopped for a moment directly in front of her. Her heart
almost stopped beating, and she dropped her glove and stooped to pick it
up. When she sat erect again he was moving on. But even her brief glance
had showed her that the boy looked tired and depressed.

She went to her rented room at once, for she must be prepared for
inquiries about her. During the interval she arranged for the closing of
her apartment and the storing of her furniture. With their going would
depart the last reminders of the old life, and she felt a curious
sense of relief. They had little happiness to remind her of, and much
suffering. The world had changed since she had gathered them together,
and she had changed with it. She was older and sadder. But she would not
have gone back. Not for anything would she have gone back.

She had one thing to do, however, before she disappeared. She had
promised to try to find something for Delight, and she did it with her
usual thoroughness and dispatch. She sent for her that last day in the
apartment, when in the morning she had found at the Perry Street room a
card telling her to report the following night. When Delight came in she
found the little apartment rather bare and rather dreary, but Audrey was
cheerful, almost gay.

"Going away for a little while," she explained. "I've stored a lot of
stuff. And now, my dear, do you really want to work?"

"I just must do something."

"All right. That's settled. I've got the thing I spoke about, in one of
the officers' training-camps. But remember, Delight, this is not going
to be a romantic adventure. It's to be work."

"I don't want a romantic adventure, Mrs. Valentine."

"Poor little thing," Audrey reflected to herself. And aloud: "Good! Of
course I know you're sincere about working. I--I understand, awfully
well."

Delight was pleased, but Audrey saw that she was not happy. Even when
the details had been arranged she still sat in her straight chair and
made no move to go. And Audrey felt that the next move was up to her.

"What's the news about Graham Spencer?" she inquired. "He'll be drafted,
I suppose."

"Not if they claim exemption. He's making shells, you know."

She lifted rather heavy e