ith a spring, an exultation, as
though from new life. He watched until she was only a blue atom among
the foot-passengers, until a park policeman thumped him on the shoulder
and informed him that this was not an automobile stand.

* * * * *

When Dr. Blake woke next morning, it was with a sense of delicious
expectancy. He formulated this as his eyes opened. She had promised to
write; the mail, due for distribution in the Club at a quarter past
eight, might bring a note from her. He timed his dressing carefully,
that he might arrive downstairs neither before nor after the moment of
fulfilment or disappointment. He saw, as he crossed the corridor to his
mail-box, that the clerk was just dropping a square, white envelope. He
peered through the glass before he felt for his keys. It was Annette's
hand.

So, glowing, he tore it open, and read:

DEAR MR. BLAKE:

I think it best never to see you again. Aunt Paula approves of
this; but it is done entirely of my own accord. My decision will
not change. Please do not call at my house, for I shall not see
you. Please do not write, for I shall send your letters back
unopened. Please do not try to see me outside, for I shall not
recognize you. I thank you for your interest in me; and believe me,
I remain,

Your sincere friend,

ANNETTE MARKHAM.

After a dreadful day, he came back to the Club and found a package,
addressed in her hand. Out fell a little bundle of rags, topped by a
comical black face, and a note. The letter of the morning was in a
firm, correct hand. This was a trembling scrawl, blotted with tears.
And it read:

Dear, I have something terrible to write you. I must give you up. I
cannot go into all the reasons now, and after all that would not
help any, for it all comes to this--we must never see each other
again. Please do not send me a letter, for though I should cover it
with my kisses, in the end I would have to send it back unopened. I
send you Black Dinah as I promised. It's all that's left of me now,
and I want you to have it. Dearest, dearest, good-by.

VI

ENTER ROSALIE LE GRANGE

"Cut, dearie," said Rosalie Le Grange, trance and test clairvoyant, to
Hattie, the landlady's daughter. "Now keep your wish in your mind,
remember. That's right; a deep cut for luck. U-um. The nine of hearts
is your wish--and right beside it is the ace of hearts.