e. Has Carlo spoken to you on the subject recently? Had he been
told he was to be decorated?"

A little absently the older woman nodded, at the present moment she was
thinking of other matters even more absorbing than Carlo Navara's recent
honor, proud as she felt of her friend.

Earlier in the day her husband, Dr. David Clark, the surgeon in charge
of the Red Cross hospital, had confided in her that a unit of his
nurses and physicians were to follow the American army to the frontiers
of Germany. Dr. Clark had also asked his wife's advice with regard to
the nurses who had best accompany them. Therefore, all the afternoon,
with her subconscious mind Sonya had been endeavoring to meet and
unravel this personal problem, at the same time she shared in the
interest of the military ceremony to which she had been a witness.

"Yes, I believe Carlo did know what he might expect Bianca," she
answered finally. "At least he told me a day or so ago he had received
some word that there was to be some public recognition of his deed. I
suppose Carlo did not like to discuss the matter generally as he is a
more modest soldier than he is an artist."

The younger girl flushed.

"Just the same I should think Carlo might also have confided in me. I
wonder if he will ever realize that you are not the best friend he has
in the world, even if he does continue to think so."

The older woman smiled without replying.

Sonya knew that some day Bianca would recover from her childish jealous
relation between herself and Carlo Navara.

Of late Carlo, himself, had grown entirely sensible, appreciating the
fact that her marriage had ended forever his mistaken romantic
attachment for a woman so much older than himself, to whose kindness in
caring for him during his illness in Italy he believed he owed so much.

Moreover, Sonya's attention was soon engaged in watching the storm.
During the past two hours the snow fall had been growing heavier until
now it lay thick along the road and was blown into drifts by the
roadside. The wind was swirling in fierce gusts and forming whirlwinds
of snow in unexpected places. Save for the lights in their motor car the
way was nearly dark, as daylight had almost completely disappeared.

Cautiously, although driving his car at a fairly rapid pace, the
chauffeur was speeding toward the hospital. Then suddenly without
warning he stopped his car so abruptly that its occupants were thrown
forward out of their seats