Jersey and Long Island shores, to the show grounds at Coney
Island. There were times when he could have cursed himself for leading
them to believe that he was interested only in their affairs and not in
this affair of his own; times when he realised to the full that he was
_using_ them to satisfy a certain craving. They were close to Anne in
every way; they represented her by proxy; they had letters from her
written in the far-off town in Canada; she loved them, she encouraged
them, she envied them. And they talked of her,--how they talked of her!

More than all else, George and Lutie personified Love. They represented
love triumphant over all. Their constancy had been rewarded, and the odds
had been great against it. He was contented and happy when near them, for
they gave out love, they radiated it, they lived deep in the heart of it.
He craved the company of these serene, unselfish lovers because they were
brave and strong and inspiring. He fed hungrily on their happiness, and he
honestly tried to pay them for what they gave to him.

He was glad to hear that George was going into a new and responsible
position in the fall,--a six thousand dollar a year job in the office of a
big manufacturing company. He rejoiced not because George was going ahead
so splendidly but because his advancement was a justification of Anne's
faith in her seemingly unworthy brother,--and, moreover, there was
distinctly something to be said for the influence of love.

When George's family departed for the north, Thorpe was like a lost soul.
In the first week of their absence, he found himself more than once on the
point of throwing everything aside and rushing off after them. His
scruples, his principles, his resolutions were shaken in the mighty grasp
of despair. There were to be no more letters, and, worse than all else,
she would not be lonely!

* * * * *

One day late in August Simmy Dodge burst in upon him. He had motored in
from Southampton and there was proof that he had not dallied along the
way. His haste in exploding in Thorpe's presence was evidence of an
unrestrained eagerness to have it over with.

"My God!" he shouted, tugging at his goggles with nervous hands from which
he had forgotten to remove his gloves. "You've got to put a stop to this
sort of thing. It can't go on. She must be crazy,--stark, raving crazy. You
must not let her do this--"

"What the devil are you talking about?" gasped