. I'm going to drive one of those cars I wouldn't
have been found dead in, in old New York. They tell me they do
very well as ambulances, though. I'm close to the front now and
have seen a good deal of the crop being garnered there. It
makes a fellow feel that he doesn't amount to much. There isn't
any harrowing of one's own mind that can last very long in the
presence of this real and awful suffering.

"Ever your old GORDON.

"P.S. Give my love to Frieda."

Miss Van Rossum read it over at least twice. Then her eyes slowly rose
from the page and, perhaps, without seeing very clearly, swept over
Frances and me. She folded it and replaced it in the envelope, very
carefully, before handing it back.

"I--I have no doubt that it has greatly appealed to him," she said, now
vaguely looking out of the window into yards chiefly adorned with
fluttering raiment dependent from a very spider's web of intricate
lines. "It--it was a sporting thing to do, you know, very manly and
fine. But he also wrote to me and--I have never been able to understand.
Of course I wouldn't have interfered with--with a plan like that. I have
only wished I could have gone over and done something too--something
that would count and make one feel that she could be of some use in the
world. Yes--it's a big thing he's done--but why did he write me such a
letter?"

She opened a small bag she had been carrying and pulled out a missive
that bore my friend's monogram, a very plain G.M. cleverly interlaced.

"Won't you please look at it, Mr. Cole? I got it the day we left
Florida. I--I was rather bunkered at first, you know."

I took it from her, doubtless displaying far more nervousness than she
was showing, for she appeared to be quite calm. I saw that she had taken
the blow as Frieda's pugilistic friend might have accepted what he calls
a wallop, with a brave smile, after the first wince. I also read it over
twice.

"_My dear Sophia_:

"It's rather hard on a fellow to be compelled to acknowledge
he's anything but a decent sportsman. I'm afraid I shall have
to. In your kindness you may, perhaps, forgive me. I have made
a bad mess of things. I wouldn't mind so much if it wasn't
hitting you also, because you're a good pal and a splendid girl
who deserves a better chap. I'm off abroad to play chauffeur to
the cripples, and, of course, there is no telling when I'll be
ba