ou loved me; but I wasn't sure of my own
feelings. I felt I must think more about it, so pursuing my usual
tactics I ran away.

"On passing Hebby's door, that gaudy diamond flashed before me. I'll
leave the theft an unsolved mystery.

"When I was forced to reveal my presence to Hebler, I felt that I had
balled things up hopelessly and that the only avenue of escape lay in
flight--my long suit.

"My only solace in all this bungling mess I have made is that I have
brought Jo and Marta together.

"With you at the ranch and Hebler in town, I don't know how I could
make my getaway but for Larry. I have telephoned him and he is to
meet me near here, and by the time my little carrier dove delivers
this, I shall be en route--for France. I'm weary of movies, and life
is a delusion anyway.

"I admit it was wrong to deceive you--after the necessity for so
doing had passed. You were kind--in intent; still, you might have
been a wee bit nicer, don't you think?

"Regretfully,
"PENELOPE."

"P. S. Does it hurt _now_ that I use your mother's name?"

He read this letter as one who dreams and is but half conscious that it is
a dream. He read it again and again, each time grasping bit by bit the
realization of its contents and what they meant to him.

"She was right," he thought. "I didn't know what love meant. I do now--now
that I missed it. I've lost her more surely than if she were a 'hardened,
young criminal.' I shall never try to find her."

It was hardly sunrise when he went down to the office.

"I should like to speak to Mr. Lamont when he comes down," he said to the
clerk.

"He has gone," was the reply. "He came down before his call and has gone
to the train."

"Maybe it is just as well," thought Kurt. "There is really no message I
could send to her."

"See the picture last night?" asked the clerk chattily. "The Thief, or Meg
O' The Prairies. Great picture!"

"Yes; I saw it," replied Kurt dismally.

"I always go to see Bobbie Burr. She's my favorite. There was a girl here
the other day who was a dead ringer for her. She had dinner with Lamont
here. I read in a magazine that she gets a big salary. I forget the
figures, but it was more per week than some folks earn in a lifetime."

Kurt's heart registered more downward beats.

He hung about the office until the dining-room was open