--just once more, before you heard the bitter news, for I knew
that after you had heard, you would never look or speak the same to me
again. Oh, Paul, pity me! Pity me when I tell you that I asked for those
six months simply that I might dedicate them to you, and to the burial,
in my memory, of our little dream of love! It was only my little fancy,
Paul! I wanted to play at being constant that long to our dream. I
wanted to wear my six-months' mourning for our still-born love. I
thought it was only a little game of 'pretend' to you, Paul--why should
it be anything else? But it was very real to me."

Her voice broke, and the Boy took her hand in his, tenderly, for his
resentment had long since died away.

"Opal," he faltered, "I no longer know nor care who or what I am. This
experience has taken me out of myself, and set my feet in strange paths.
I had a life to live, Opal, but I have forgotten it in yours. I had
theories, ideals, hopes, aspirations--but I don't know where they are
now, Opal. They are gone--gone with your smile--"

Opal's eyes grew soft with caresses.

"They will come back, Paul--they must come back! They were born in
you--of Truth itself, not of a mere woman. You will forget me, Boy, and
your life will not be the pitiful waste you think. It must not be!"

"I used to think that, Opal. It never seemed to me that life could ever
be an utter waste so long as a man had work to do and the strength and
skill to do it. But now--I'm all at sea! I only know--how--I shall miss
_you!_"

Opal grew thoughtful.

"And how will it be with me?" she said sadly. "I have never learned to
wear a mask. I can't pose. I can't wear 'false smiles that cover an
aching heart.' Perhaps the world may teach me now--but I'm not a
hypocrite--yet!"

"I believe you, Opal! I love you because you are you!"

"And I love you, Paul, because you are you!"

And even then he did not clasp her in his arms, nor attempt it. She was
another's now, and his hands were tied. He must try to control his one
great weakness--the longing for her.

And in the few moments left to them, they talked and cheered each other,
as intimate friends on the eve of a long separation. They both knew now
that they loved--but they also knew that they must part--and forever!

"I love you, Paul," said Opal, "even as you love me. I do not hesitate
to confess it again, because--well, I am not yet his wife. And I want to
give you this one small comfort to help to m