hink, if
you knew the truth. But oh, try not to do that. I love you so much!
I am so happy that you are growing well and strong, yet if I had
known I should not have dared to marry you, because from the first
this that has happened was bound to happen. Forgive me for hurting
you. I didn't mean to do it. I thought only to make your last days
on this earth happier, and to keep a blessed memory for myself.
While I live I shall love you, but it will be best for you to
forget.

Rosemary.

In spite of this farewell, Ralston had hoped to hear something of
Rosemary from me. At all events, he wanted our advice, Jim's and mine.

It was a blow to him that we had no news to give; and it was hard even
to offer advice. What could we say? I had known for long that the girl
was miserable, and this sudden break-up of everything was more of a
shock than a surprise. I was afraid to say: "Get her back at any price!"
for--the price (not in money but in heart's blood) might prove too high.
Instead I hedged.

"What if Rosemary is right?" I ventured. "What if it _would_ be best as
she says, for both your sakes, to let her go?"

Murray's eyes flashed rage. "Is that your _real_ advice?" he flung at
me. "If it is, you're not the woman I thought you. I'll move heaven and
earth to get Rosemary back, because we love each other, and nothing else
matters."

"Well, that's what I wanted to find out!" I exclaimed in a changed tone.
"That's the way I should feel in your place----"

"I, too!" chimed in Jim.

"And since that _is_ the way you feel," I went on, "I've thought of
something, or rather, _someone_, that may help. Mrs. Paul Jennings."

Ralston stared, and repeated the name.

"Mrs. Paul Jennings? What is she likely to know about Rosemary's secrets
that you don't know?"

"That's for you to find out," I answered. "It's an impression I have. I
may be mistaken. But it's worth trying. I should send for Mrs. Paul
Jennings if I were you."

"I will!" cried Murray. "I'll send a note now--and the car to fetch her
here."

CHAPTER XI

WHAT GABY TOLD

It seemed to us that hours dragged heavily by, between the time that the
motor left and the time when we heard it draw up at the front door. A
moment later, and Gaby Jennings was shown into Murray's den, where we
three were waiting.

Ralston had said in his short note that Rosemary had gone away suddenly,
and that he was most anxious. But t