out her arms.

"Phil, I am the girl you love!" she cried. "All your life you have loved
me. Surely it cannot be all gone in a few weeks of misunderstanding. I
was jealous of her! I did not want you to leave me an instant that night
for any other girl living. That was the moth I was representing. Every
one knew it! I wanted you to bring it to me. When you did not, I knew
instantly it had been for her that you worked last summer, she who
suggested my dress, she who had power to take you from me, when I wanted
you most. The thought drove me mad, and I said and did those insane
things. Phil, I beg your pardon! I ask your forgiveness. Yesterday she
said that you had told her of me at once. She vowed both of you had been
true to me and Phil, I couldn't look into her eyes and not see that it
was the truth. Oh, Phil, if you understood how I have suffered you
would forgive me. Phil, I never knew how much I cared for you! I will do
anything--anything!"

"Then tell me what you said to Elnora yesterday that drove her, alone
and friendless, into the night, heaven knows where!"

"You have no thought for any one save her?"

"Yes," said Philip. "I have. Because I once loved you, and believed in
you, my heart aches for you. I will gladly forgive anything you ask. I
will do anything you want, except to resume our former relations. That
is impossible. It is hopeless and useless to ask it."

"You truly mean that!"

"Yes."

"Then find out from her what I said!"

"Come, father," said Philip, rising.

"You were going to show Miss Comstock's letter to Edith!" suggested Mr.
Ammon.

"I have not the slightest interest in Miss Comstock's letter," said
Edith Carr.

"You are not even interested in the fact that she says you are not
responsible for her going, and that I am to call on you and be friends
with you?"

"That is interesting, indeed!" sneered Miss Carr.

She took the letter, read and returned it.

"She has done what she could for my cause, it seems," she said coldly.
"How very generous of her! Do you propose calling out Pinkertons and
instituting a general search?"

"No," replied Philip. "I simply propose to go back to the Limberlost
and live with her mother, until Elnora becomes convinced that I am not
courting you, and never shall be. Then, perhaps, she will come home to
us. Good-bye. Good luck to you always!"

CHAPTER XXIV

WHEREIN EDITH CARR WAGES A BATTLE, AND HART HENDERSON STANDS GUARD

Many people