ng, but she hardly took her eyes
from little Ann's face. She wanted familiarity to take the place of
shock. She must grow accustomed to that terrible resemblance, for she
knew, beyond all doubt, that it was to hold a place in all her future
life.

When the last drop of milk went gurgling down the little girl's throat,
when Nella-Rose pushed her plate aside, when Thomas had taken away the
tray, Lynda spoke:

"And now, Nella-Rose, what are you going to--to do with us all?"

The tired head of little Ann was pressed against her mother's breast.
The food, the heat, were lulling her weary senses into oblivion again.
Lynda gave a swift thought of gratitude for the momentary respite as she
watched the small, dark face sink from her direct view.

"We are all in your hands," she continued.

"In _my_ hands--_mine_?"

"Yes. Yours."

"I--I must--tell him--and then go home."

"Must you, Nella-Rose?"

"What else is there for me?"

"You must decide. You, alone."

"You"--the lips quivered--"you will not go with me?"

"I--cannot, Nella-Rose."

"Why?"

"Because"--and with all her might Lynda sought words that would lay low
the difference between her and the simple, primitive woman close to
her--felt she _must_ use ideas and terms that would convey her meaning
and not drive her and Nella-Rose apart--"because, while he is my man
now, he was first yours. Because you were first, you must go alone--if
go you must. Then he shall decide."

Nella-Rose grasped the deep meaning after a moment and sank back
shivering. The courage and endurance that had borne her to this hour
deserted her. The help, that for a time had seemed to rise up in Lynda,
crumbled. Alone, drifting she knew not where, Nella-Rose waited.

"I'm--afraid!" she repeated over and over. "I'm right afraid. He's not
the same; it's all, all gone--that other life--and yet I cannot let him
think--!"

The two women looked at each other over all that separated
them--and each comprehended! The soul of Nella-Rose demanded
justification--vindication--and Lynda knew that it should have it, if
the future were to be lived purely. There was just one thing Lynda had
to make clear in this vital moment, one truth that must be understood
without trespassing on the sacred rights of others. Surely Nella-Rose
should know all that there was to know before coming to her final
decision. So Lynda spoke:

"You think he"--she could not bring herself, for all her bravery and
sense of j