y began to wonder why Courtland had not
brought Gila, as he intended, for the class play, but a note from Gila
informed him that she was done with Paul Courtland forever, and that he
would have to get some one else to further his uncle's schemes, for she
would not. She intimated that she might explain further if he chose to
call, and Tennelly made a point of calling in between things, and found
Gila inscrutable. All he could gather was that she was very, very angry
with Courtland, hopelessly so, and that she considered him worth no more
effort on her part. She was languidly interested in Tennelly and
accepted his invitation to the dance that evening most graciously. She
had expected to go in Courtland's company, but now if he repented and
came to claim his right she would ignore it.

But Courtland had taken Gila at her word. He had no idea of claiming any
former engagement with her. She had cut him off forever, and he must
abide by it. Courtland had spent the night upon his knees in the little
sacred room at the end of the hall. He was much stronger to face things
than he had been when he left her. So when he met Gila walking with
Tennelly he lifted his hat courteously and passed on, his face grave and
stern as when she had last seen him, but in no way showing other sign
that he had suffered or repented his choice. Pat, walking by his side,
looked furtively at Gila then keenly at his companion, and winked to his
inner consciousness.

"She's the poor simp that did the business! And she looks her part,
_b'leeve me_!" he told himself. "But he'll get over that! He's too big
to miss _her_ long!"

Although there was pain in these days that followed Courtland's choice,
there was also great peace in his heart. He seemed to have grown older,
counting days as years, and to have a wider vision on life. Love of
woman was gone out of his life, he thought, forever! Love wasn't an
illusion quite as he had thought. No! But Gila had not loved him, or she
never would have made him choose as she did! That was plain. If she had
not loved, then it was better he should go out of her life! He was glad
that the university days were over, and he might begin a new environment
somewhere. He felt something strong within his soul pushing him on to a
decision. Was it the Voice calling him again, leading up to what he was
to do?

This thought was uppermost in his mind during the Commencement, which
beforehand had meant so much to him; which all t