that to tell Miss
Wharton your secret now would not help matters. I must leave you here. I
am going on to Wayne Hall."

With a curt inclination of her head, Grace walked away, leaving Jean
standing in the middle of the campus, looking moodily after her.

CHAPTER XVIII

THE BLOTTED ESCUTCHEON

But Grace was destined to receive another shock before the long day was
done. The shadows of early twilight were beginning to blot out the short
winter day when she let herself into Harlowe House. Stepping into her
office she reached eagerly for the pile of mail lying on the sliding
shelf of her desk. The handwriting on the first letter of the pile was
Tom's. Grace eyed it gloomily. It was not warranted to lighten her
present unhappy mood. She opened it slowly, almost hesitatingly. Unlike
Tom's long, newsy letters, there was but one sheet of paper. Then she
strained her eyes in the rapidly failing daylight and read:

"DEAR GRACE:

"When you receive this letter I shall be out at sea and on my way
to South America. I have resigned my position with the Forestry
Department to go on an expedition up the Amazon River with Burton
Graham, the naturalist. He is the man who collected so many rare
specimens of birds and mammals for the Smithsonian Institute while
in Africa, two years ago. It is hard to say when I shall return,
and, as it takes almost a month for a letter to reach the United
States, you are not likely to hear often from me.

"Aunt Rose is deeply grieved at my going. Still she understands
that, for me, it is best. When last I saw you in Oakdale I had no
idea of leaving civilization for tropical wildernesses. Mr.
Graham's invitation to join his expedition was wholly unexpected,
and I was not slow to take advantage of it.

"I would ask you to write me, but, unfortunately, I can give you no
forwarding address. Mr. Graham's plans as to location are a little
uncertain. Perhaps, until I can bring myself to think of you in the
way you wish me to think, silence between us will be happiest for
us both. God bless you, Grace, and give you the greatest possible
success in your work. With best wishes,

"Your friend,
"TOM."

Grace stared at the sheet of paper be