w. Edith
Carr caught her breath with a snap. Polly Ammon gave Tom Levering a
quick touch and wickedly winked at him.

Several days before, Edith had returned from Europe suddenly. She and
Henderson had called at the Ammon residence saying that they were going
to motor down to the Limberlost to see Philip a few hours, and urged
that Polly and Tom accompany them. Mrs. Ammon knew that her husband
would disapprove of the trip, but it was easy to see that Edith Carr had
determined on going. So the mother thought it better to have Polly along
to support Philip than to allow him to confront Edith unexpectedly and
alone. Polly was full of spirit. She did not relish the thought of Edith
as a sister. Always they had been in the same set, always Edith, because
of greater beauty and wealth, had patronized Polly. Although it had
rankled, she had borne it sweetly. But two days before, her father had
extracted a promise of secrecy, given her Philip's address and told her
to send him the finest emerald ring she could select. Polly knew how
that ring would be used. What she did not know was that the girl who
accompanied her went back to the store afterward, made an excuse to the
clerk that she had been sent to be absolutely sure that the address was
right, and so secured it for Edith Carr.

Two days later Edith had induced Hart Henderson to take her to Onabasha.
By the aid of maps they located the Comstock land and passed it, merely
to see the place. Henderson hated that trip, and implored Edith not to
take it, but she made no effort to conceal from him what she suffered,
and it was more than he could endure. He pointed out that Philip had
gone away without leaving an address, because he did not wish to see
her, or any of them. But Edith was so sure of her power, she felt
certain Philip needed only to see her to succumb to her beauty as he
always had done, while now she was ready to plead for forgiveness. So
they came down the Brushwood road, and Henderson had just said to Edith
beside him: "This should be the Comstock land on our left."

A minute later the wood ended, while the sunlight, as always pitiless,
etched with distinctness the scene at the west end of the cabin.
Instinctively, to save Edith, Henderson set the horn blowing. He had
thought to drive to the city, but Polly Ammon arose crying: "Phil!
Phil!" Tom Levering was on his feet shouting and waving, while Edith
in her most imperial manner ordered him to turn into the lane