it. Yet no woman is a true woman
who forgets her employer is a married or engaged man.

"You and I know, however, that love does not stop to ask if this is
the case, and I sometimes feel--impersonally, remember--that the
business women earn the love of their employers and associates more
than said employers' and associates' wives. Does it sound strange?
Of course you need not agree--I hardly expect it. Yet the fact remains
that we watch and save that you Gorgeous Girls may spend and play.
In time the man, tense and non-understanding of it all, discovers
that his trust and confidence may be placed in the business woman
while romantic love is not enduring in his home. Not always, of
course; but many times in these days of overnight prosperity and
endless good times. So I have neither shame nor remorse--I have as
much right to love your husband as you have--and because of that I
shall be as fair to you as I would ask any woman to be toward me
in similar circumstances."

"I think I understand," the Gorgeous Girl said, swiftly. "I see
something of the light." She laughed nervously. It was easier to laugh
than to cry, and one or the other was necessary at this moment. "I
wanted to tell you that my husband is going away to take a rather
mediocre position. I shall divorce him."

"He's won out," Mary said, in spite of herself.

"Has he? So you have been the urge behind him and his poverty talk?"

"I'd like to claim the credit," Mary retorted.

"Really?"

Beatrice found herself in another mental box, undecided how to cope
with the situation. She had fancied she could make Mary cry and beg
for silence, be afraid and unpoised. Instead she felt as ornate as a
circus rider in her costume, and as stupid regarding the truth as the
snapping Pom under her arm. Her head began to ache. She wondered why
all these people delighted in accepting sacrifice and seeking
self-denial--and she thought of Gay again and of what a consolation he
was. And through it all ran a curious mental pain which informed her
that she had not the power to hurt or to please either of these
persons, and she was being politely labelled and put in her own groove
by Mary Faithful. This stung her on to action, just as any poorly
prepared enemy loses his head when he sees the tide is turning.

In desperation she said, coldly: "After all, I shall play square with
you because you have played square with him. I'll give you the best
advice a retiring wife can give h