to throw it away
in a battle with an unrestrained woman. I am no fighter--where a girl is
concerned, anyway. I respect and love her or I do nothing. Never again
is either respect or love possible between me and Edith Carr. Whenever
I think of her in the future, I will see her as she was to-night. But I
can't face the crowd just yet. Could you spare me a few days?"

"It is only ten days until you were to go north for the summer, go now."

"I don't want to go north. I don't want to meet people I know. There,
the story would precede me. I do not need pitying glances or rough
condolences. I wonder if I could not hide at Uncle Ed's in Wisconsin for
awhile?"

The book closed suddenly. The father leaned across the table and looked
into the son's eyes.

"Phil, are you sure of what you just have said?"

"Perfectly sure!"

"Do you think you are in any condition to decide to-night?"

"Death cannot return to life, father. My love for Edith Carr is dead. I
hope never to see her again."

"If I thought you could be certain so soon! But, come to think of it,
you are very like me in many ways. I am with you in this. Public scenes
and disgraces I would not endure. It would be over with me, were I in
your position, that I know."

"It is done for all time," said Philip Ammon. "Let us not speak of it
further."

"Then, Phil," the father leaned closer and looked at the son tenderly,
"Phil, why don't you go to the Limberlost?"

"Father!"

"Why not? No one can comfort a hurt heart like a tender woman; and,
Phil, have you ever stopped to think that you may have a duty in the
Limberlost, if you are free? I don't know! I only suggest it. But, for a
country schoolgirl, unaccustomed to men, two months with a man like you
might well awaken feelings of which you do not think. Because you were
safe-guarded is no sign the girl was. She might care to see you. You can
soon tell. With you, she comes next to Edith, and you have made it clear
to me that you appreciate her in many ways above. So I repeat it, why
not go to the Limberlost?"

A long time Philip Ammon sat in deep thought. At last he raised his
head.

"Well, why not!" he said. "Years could make me no surer than I am now,
and life is short. Please ask Banks to get me some coffee and toast, and
I will bathe and dress so I can take the early train."

"Go to your bath. I will attend to your packing and everything. And
Phil, if I were you, I would leave no addresses."

"Not an ad