e colorless, and surveyed
him intently.

"What a comfort you are, Clay," she said. "Not a word in question. Just
like that! Yet you know I don't borrow money, usually."

"The only thing that is important is that I have the money with me. Are
you sure it's enough?"

"Plenty. I'll send it back in a week or so. I'm selling this house. It's
practically sold. I don't know why anybody wants it. It's a poky little
place. But--well, it doesn't matter about the house. I called up some
people to-day who have been wanting one in this neighborhood and I'm
practically sure they'll take it."

"But--you and Chris--"

"We have separated, Clay. At least, Chris has gone. There's a long story
behind it. I'm not up to telling it to-night. And this money will end
part of it. That's all I'm going to tell about the money. It's a small
sum, isn't it, to break up a family!"

"Why, it's absurd! It's--it's horrible, Audrey."

"Oh, it isn't the money. That's a trifle. I just had to have it quickly.
And when I learned I needed it of course the banks were closed. Besides,
I fancy Chris had to have all there was."

Clayton was puzzled and distressed. He had not liked Chris. He had hated
his cynicism, his pose of indifference. His very fastidiousness had
never seemed entirely genuine. And this going away and taking all
Audrey's small reserve of money--

"Where is he?"

"I don't know. I believe on his way to Canada."

"Do you mean--"

"Oh, no, he didn't steal anything. He's going to enlist in the Canadian
army. Or he said so when he left."

"Look here, Audrey, you can't tell me only part of the story. Do you
mean to say that Chris has had a magnificent impulse and gone to fight?
Or that he's running away from something?"

"Both," said Audrey. "I'll tell you this much, Clay. Chris has got
himself into a scrape. I won't tell you about that, because after all
that's his story. And I'm not asking for sympathy. If you dare to pity
me I'll cry, and I'll never forgive you."

"Why didn't he stay and face it like a man? Not leave you to face it."

"Because the only person it greatly concerned was myself. He didn't want
to face me. The thing that is driving me almost mad is that he may be
killed over there. Not because I love him so much. I think you know how
things have been. But because he went to--well, I think to reinstate
himself in my esteem, to show me he's a man, after all."

"Good heavens, Audrey. And you went through dinner with a