\"HowIshallloveyou!\"exultedPolly，givingElnoraapartinghug。
Thegirlslowlyandgravelywalkedbacktothewillow。
Shecouldnotimaginewhatwascoming，butshewaspromisingherselfthatshewouldbeverypatientandcontrolhertemper。
\"Willyoubeseated?\"sheaskedpolitely。
EdithCarrglancedatthebench，whileashuddershookher。
\"No。Iprefertostand，\"shesaid。\"DidMr。Ammongiveyoutheringyouarewearing，anddoyouconsideryourselfengagedtohim?\"
\"Bywhatrightdoyouasksuchpersonalquestionsasthose?\"inquiredElnora。
\"Bytherightofabetrothedwife。IhavebeenpromisedtoPhilipAmmoneversinceIworeshortskirts。Allourliveswehaveexpectedtomarry。Anagreementofyearscannotbebrokeninoneinsanemoment。Alwayshehaslovedmedevotedly。Givemetenminuteswithhimandhewillbemineforalltime。\"
\"Iseriouslydoubtthat，\"saidElnora。\"ButIamwillingthatyoushouldmakethetest。Iwillcallhim。\"
\"Stop!\"commandedEdithCarr。\"ItoldyouthatitwasyouIcametosee。\"
\"Iremember，\"saidElnora。
\"Mr。Ammonismybetrothed，\"continuedEdithCarr。
\"IexpecttotakehimbacktoChicagowithme。\"
\"Youexpectconsiderable，\"murmuredElnora。\"Iwillraisenoobjectiontoyourtakinghim，ifyoucan——but，I
tellyoufrankly，Idon\'tthinkitpossible。\"
\"Youaresosureofyourselfasthat，\"scoffedEdithCarr。
\"Onehourinmypresencewillbringbacktheoldspell，fullforce。Webelongtoeachother。Iwillnotgivehimup。\"
\"Thenitisuntruethatyoutwicerejectedhisring，repeatedlyinsultedhim，andpubliclyrenouncedhim?\"
\"Thatwasthroughyou!\"criedEdithCarr。\"PhilandIneverhadbeensonearandsohappyaswewereonthatnight。Itwasyourclingingtohimforthingsthatcausedhimtodesertmeamonghisguests，whilehetriedtomakemeawaityourpleasure。Irealizethespellofthisplace，forasummerseason。Iunderstandwhatyouandyourmotherhavedonetoinveiglehim。Iknowthatyourholdonhimisquitereal。Icanseejusthowyouhaveworkedtoensnarehim!\"
\"Menwouldcallthatlying，\"saidElnoracalmly。
\"ThesecondtimeImetPhilipAmmonhetoldmeofhisengagementtoyou，andIrespectedit。IdidbyyouasIwouldwantyoutodobyme。Hewasherepartsofeachday，almostdailylastsummer。TheAlmightyismywitnessthatneveronce，bywordorlook，didIevermaketheslightestattempttointeresthiminmypersonorpersonality。Hewroteyoufrequentlyinmypresence。
Heforgotthevioletsforwhichheaskedtosendyou。
Igatheredthemandcarriedthemtohim。Isenthimbacktoyouinunswervingdevotion，andtheAlmightyisalsomywitnessthatIcouldhavechangedhisheartlastsummer，ifIhadtried。Iwiselyleftthatworkforyou。AllmylifeIshallbegladthatIlivedandworkedonthesquare。
Thatheeverwouldcomebacktomefree，byyouract，Ineverdreamed。WhenheleftmeIdidnothopeorexpecttoseehimagain，\"Elnora\'svoicefellsoftandlow，\"
and，behold!Yousenthim——andfree!\"
\"Youexultinthat!\"criedEdithCarr。\"Letmetellyouheisnotfree!Wehavebelongedforyears。
Wealwaysshall。Ifyouclingtohim，andholdhimtorashthingshehassaidanddone，becausehethoughtmestillangryandunforgivingwithhim，youwillruinallourlives。
Ifhemarriedyou，beforeamonthyouwouldreadheart-hungerformeinhiseyes。Hecouldnotlovemeashehasdone，andgivemeupforalittlescenelikethat!\"
\"Thereisagreatpoem，\"saidElnora，\"onelineofwhichreads，`Foreachmankillsthethingheloves。\'Letmetellyouthatawomancandothatalso。Hedidloveyou——thatIconcede。Butyoukilledhisloveeverlastingly，whenyoudisgracedhiminpublic。Killeditsocompletelyhedoesnotevenfeelresentmenttowardyou。To-day，hewoulddoyouafavour，ifhecould；butloveyou，no!
Thatisover!\"
EdithCarrstoodtrulyregalandfilledwithscorn。
\"Youaremistaken!Nothingonearthcouldkillthat!\"
shecried，andElnorasawthatthegirlreallybelievedwhatshesaid。
\"Youareverysureofyourself!\"saidElnora。
\"Ihavereasontobesure，\"answeredEdithCarr。
\"Wehavelivedandlovedtoolong。Ihavehadyearswithhimtomatchagainstyourdays。Heismine!
Hiswork，hisambitions，hisfriends，hisplaceinsocietyarewithme。Youmayhaveasummercharmforasickmaninthecountry；ifhetriedplacingyouinsociety，hesoonwouldseeyouasotherswill。Ittakesbirthtoposition，schooling，andendlesspracticetomeetsocialdemandsgracefully。Youwouldputhimtoshameinaweek。\"
\"IscarcelythinkIshouldfollowyourexamplesofar，\"
saidElnoradryly。\"IhaveafeelingforPhilipthatwouldpreventmyhurtinghimpurposely，eitherinpublicorprivate。Asformanagingasocialcareerforhimhenevermentionedthathedesiredsuchathing。WhatheaskedofmewasthatIshouldbehiswife。Iunderstoodthattomeanthathedesiredmetokeephimacleanhouse，servehimdigestiblefood，motherhischildren，andgivehimlovingsympathyandtenderness。\"
\"Shameless!\"criedEdithCarr。
\"Towhichofusdoyouintendthatadjectivetoapply?\"
inquiredElnora。\"Ineverwaslessashamedinallmylife。
PleaserememberIaminmyownhome，andyourpresencehereisnotonmyinvitation。\"
MissCarrliftedherheadandstruggledwithherveil。
Shewasverypaleandtremblingviolently，whileElnorastoodserene，afaintsmileonherlips。
\"Suchvulgarity!\"pantedEdithCarr。\"HowcanamanlikePhilipendureit?\"
\"Whydon\'tyouaskhim?\"inquiredElnora。\"Icancallhimwithonebreath；but，ifhejudgedusaswestand，Ishouldnotbetheonetotrembleathisdecision。
MissCarr，youhavebeenquiteplain。Youhavetoldmeincarefullyselectedwordswhatyouthinkofme。
Youinsultmybirth，education，appearance，andhome。
IassureyouIamlegitimate。Iwillpassatestexaminationwithyouonanyhighschoolorsupplementarybranch，orFrenchorGerman。Iwilltakeaphysicalexaminationbesideyou。Iwillfaceanysocialemergencyyoucanmentionwithyou。IamacquaintedwithawholeworldinwhichPhilipAmmoniskeenlyinterested，thatyouscarcelyknowexists。Iamnotafraidtofaceanyaudienceyoucangettogetheranywherewithmyviolin。
Iamnotrepulsivetolookat，andIhaveawholesomeregardfortheproprietiesandcivilitiesoflife。PhilipAmmonneveraskedanythingmoreofme，whyshouldyou?\"
\"Itisplaintosee，\"criedEdithCarr，\"thatyoutookhimwhenhewashurtandangryandkepthiswoundwideopen。
Oh，whathaveyounotdoneagainstme?\"
\"Ididnotpromisetomarryhimwhenanhouragoheaskedme，andofferedmethisring，becausetherewassomuchfeelinginmyheartforyou，thatIknewInevercouldbehappy，ifIfeltthatinanywayIhadfailedindoingjusticetoyourinterests。Ididsliponthisring，whichhehadjustbrought，becauseIneverownedone，anditisverybeautiful，butImadehimnopromise，norshallImakeany，untilIamquite，quitesure，thatyoufullyrealizeheneverwouldmarryyouifIsenthimawaythishour。\"
\"Youknowperfectlythatifyourpunyholdonhimwerebroken，ifhewerebackinhishome，amonghisfriends，andwherehewasmeetingme，inoneshortweekhewouldbemineagain，ashealwayshasbeen。Inyourheartyoudon\'tbelievewhatyousay。Youdon\'tdaretrusthiminmypresence。Youareafraidtoallowhimoutofyoursight，becauseyouknowwhattheresultswouldbe。Rightorwrong，youhavemadeupyourmindtoruinhimandme，andyouaregoingtobeselfishenoughtodoit。But——\"
\"Thatwilldo!\"saidElnora。\"SparemetheenumerationofhowIwillregretit。Ishallregretnothing。
IshallnotactuntilIknowtherewillbenothingtoregret。
Ihavedecidedonmycourse。Youmayreturntoyourfriends。\"
\"Whatdoyoumean?\"demandedEdithCarr。
\"Thatismyaffair，\"repliedElnora。\"Onlythis!
Whenyouropportunitycomes，seizeit!AnytimeyouareinPhilipAmmon\'spresence，exertthecharmsofwhichyouboast，andtakehim。Igrantyouarejustifiedindoingitifyoucan。IwantnothingmorethanIwanttoseeyoumarryPhilipifhewantsyou。Heisjustacrossthefenceunderthatautomobile。Gospreadyourmeshesandexertyourwiles。Iwon\'tstirtostopyou。TakehimtoOnabasha，andtoChicagowithyou。Useeveryartyoupossess。
IftheoldcharmcanberevivedIwillbethefirsttowishbothofyouwell。Now，Imustreturntomyvisitors。
Kindlyexcuseme。\"
Elnoraturnedandwentbacktothearbour。EdithCarrfollowedthefenceandpassedthroughthegateintothewestwoodswheresheaskedHendersonaboutthecar。
Asshestoodnearhimshewhispered:\"TakePhilbacktoOnabashawithus。\"
\"Isay，Ammon，can\'tyougotothecitywithusandhelpmefindashopwhereIcangetthispinionfixed?\"
askedHenderson。\"Wewanttolunchandstartbackbyfive。
Thatwillgetushomeaboutmidnight。Whydon\'tyoubringyourautomobilehere?\"
\"Iamaworkingman，\"saidPhilip。\"Ihavenotimetobeoutmotoring。Ican\'tseeanythingthematterwithyourcar，myself；but，ofcourseyoudon\'twanttobreakdowninthenight，onstrangeroads，withwomenonyourhands。
I\'llsee。\"
Philipwentintothearbour，wherePollytookpossessionofhislap，fingeredhishair，andkissedhisforeheadandlips。
\"Whenareyoucomingtothecottage，Phil?\"sheasked。
\"Comesoon，andbringMissComstockforavisit。Allofuswillbesogladtohaveher。\"
PhilipbeamedonPolly。\"I\'llseeaboutthat，\"hesaid。
\"Soundsprettygood。Elnora，Hendersonisintroublewithhisautomobile。HewantsmetogotoOnabashawithhimtoshowhimwherethedoctorlives，andmakerepairssohecanstartbackthisevening。Itwilltakeabouttwohours。MayIgo?\"
\"Ofcourse，youmustgo，\"shesaid，laughinglightly。
\"Youcan\'tleaveyoursister。Whydon\'tyoureturntoChicagowiththem?Thereisplentyofroom，andyoucouldhaveafinevisit。\"
\"I\'llbebackinjusttwohours，\"saidPhilip。\"WhileI
amgone，youbethinkingoverwhatweweretalkingofwhenthefolkscame。\"
\"MissComstockcangowithusaswellasnot，\"saidPolly。
\"Thatbackseatwasmadeforthree，andIcansitonyourlap。\"
\"Comeon!Docome!\"urgedPhilipinstantly，andTomLeveringjoinedhim，butHendersonandEdithsilentlywaitedatthegate。
\"No，thankyou，\"laughedElnora。\"Thatwouldcrowdyou，andit\'swarmanddusty。Wewillsaygood-byehere。\"
Sheofferedherhandtoallofthem，andwhenshecametoPhilipshegavehimonelongsteadylookintheeyes，thenshookhandswithhimalso。
CHAPTERXXIII
WHEREINELNORAREACHESADECISION，ANDFRECKLESANDTHEANGELAPPEAR
Well，shecame，didn\'tshe?\"remarkedMrs。ComstocktoElnoraastheywatchedtheautomobilespeeddowntheroad。AsitturnedtheLimberlostcorner，Philiparoseandwavedtothem。
\"Shehasn\'tgothimyet，anyway，\"saidMrs。Comstock，takingheart。\"What\'sthatonyourfinger，andwhatdidshesaytoyou?\"
Elnoraexplainedabouttheringasshedrewitoff。
\"Ihaveseveralletterstowrite，thenIamgoingtochangemydressandwalkdowntowardAuntMargaret\'sforalittleexercise。Imaymeetsomeofthem，andIdon\'twantthemtoseethisring。YoukeepituntilPhilipcomes，\"saidElnora。\"AsforwhatMissCarrsaidtome，manythings，twoofimportance:one，thatIlackedeverysocialrequirementnecessaryforthehappinessofPhilipAmmon，andthatifImarriedhimIwouldseeinsideamonththathewasashamedofme——\"
\"Aw，shockins!\"scornedMrs。Comstock。\"Goon!\"
\"Theotherwasthatshehasbeenengagedtohimforyears，thathebelongstoher，andsherefusestogivehimup。Shesaidthatifhewereinherpresenceonehour，shewouldhavehimunderamysteriousthingshecalls`herspell\'again；ifhewerewhereshecouldseehimforoneweek，everythingwouldbemadeup。Itisheropinionthatheissufferingfromwoundedpride，andthattheslightestconcessiononherpartwillbringhimtohiskneesbeforeher。\"
Mrs。Comstockgiggled。\"Idohopetheboyisn\'tweak-kneed，\"
shesaid。\"Ijusthappenedtobepassingthewestwindowthisafternoon——\"
Elnoralaughed。\"Nothingsaveactualknowledgeeverwouldhavemademebelievetherewasagirlinallthisworldsoinfatuatedwithherself。Shespeakscasuallyofherpowerovermen，andboastsof`bringingamantohisknees\'ascomplacentlyasIwouldpickupanetandsay:
`Iamgoingtotakeabutterfly。\'ShehonestlybelievesthatifPhilipwerewithherashorttimeshecouldrekindlehisloveforherandawakeninhimeveryparticleoftheolddevotion。Mother，thegirlishonest!Sheisabsolutelysincere!ShesobelievesinherselfandthestrengthofPhil\'sloveforher，thatallherlifeshewillbelieveinandbroodoverthatthought，unlesssheistaughtdifferently。Solongasshethinksthat，shewillnursewrongideasandpineoverherblightedlife。ShemustbetaughtthatPhilisabsolutelyfree，andyethewillnotgotoher。\"
\"Buthowonearthareyouproposingtoteachherthat?\"
\"Thewaywillopen。\"
\"Lookeyhere，Elnora!\"criedMrs。Comstock。\"ThatCarrgirlisthehandsomestdarkwomanIeversaw。She\'sgottotheplacewhereshewon\'tstopatanything。Hercominghereprovesthat。Idon\'tbelievetherewasathingthematterwiththatautomobile。IthinkthatwasaschemeshefixeduptogetPhilwhereshecouldseehimalone，assheworkedtoseeyou。IfyouaregoingdeliberatelytoputPhilipunderherinfluenceagain，you\'vegottobraceyourselfforthepossibilitythatshemaywin。
Amanisaweakmortal，wherealovelywomanisconcerned，andheneverdeniedthathelovedheronce。Youmaymakeyourselfdownrightmiserable。\"
\"Butmother，ifshewon，itwouldn\'tmakemehalfsomiserableastomarryPhilmyself，andthenreadhungerforherinhiseyes!Someonehasgottosufferoverthis。
Ifitprovestobeme，I\'llbearit，andyou\'llneverhearawhisperofcomplaintfromme。IknowtherealPhilipAmmonbetterinourmonthsofworkinthefieldsthansheknowshiminallheryearsofsocietyengagements。
Sosheshallhavethehoursheasked，many，manyofthem，enoughtomakeheracknowledgethatsheiswrong。
NowIamgoingtowritemylettersandtakemywalk。\"
Elnorathrewherarmsaroundhermotherandkissedherrepeatedly。\"Don\'tyouworryaboutme，\"shesaid。
\"Iwillgetalongallright，andwhateverhappens，Ialwayswillbeyourgirlandyoumydarlingmother。\"
Shelefttwosealednotesonherdesk。Thenshechangedherdress，packedasmallbundlewhichshedroppedwithherhatfromthewindowbesidethewillow，andsoftlywentdownstairs。Mrs。Comstockwasinthegarden。Elnorapickedupthehatandbundle，hurrieddowntheroadafewrods，thenclimbedthefenceandenteredthewoods。Shetookadiagonalcourse，andafteralongwalkreachedaroadtwomileswestandonesouth。
Thereshestraightenedherclothing，putonherhatandathindarkveilandwaitedthepassingofthenexttrolley。
SheleftitatthefirsttownandtookatrainforFortWayne。
Shemadethatpointjustintimetoclimbontheeveningtrainnorth，asitpulledfromthestation。ItwasaftermidnightwhensheleftthecaratGrandRapids，andwentintothedepottoawaitthecomingofday。
Tiredout，shelaidherheadonherbundleandfellasleeponaseatinthewomen\'swaiting-room。Longafterlightshewasawakenedbytheroarandrattleoftrains。Shewashed，re-arrangedherhairandclothing，andwentintothegeneralwaiting-roomtofindherwaytothestreet。Shesawhimasheenteredthedoor。Therewasnomistakingthetall，lithefigure，thebrighthair，thelean，brown-splotchedface，thesteadygrayeyes。Hewasdressedfortravelling，andcarriedalightovercoatandabag。StraighttohimElnorawentspeeding。
\"Oh，Iwasjuststartingtofindyou!\"shecried。
\"Thankyou!\"hesaid。
\"Youaregoingaway?\"shepanted。
\"NotifIamneeded。Ihaveafewminutes。Canyoubetellingmebriefly?\"
\"IamtheLimberlostgirltowhomyourwifegavethedressforCommencementlastspring，andbothofyousentlovelygifts。Thereisareason，averygoodreason，whyI
mustbehiddenforatime，andIcamestraighttoyou——asifIhadaright。\"
\"Youhave!\"answeredFreckles。\"AnyboyorgirlwhoeversufferedonepangintheLimberlosthasaclaimtothebestdropofbloodinmyheart。Youneedn\'tbetellingmeanythingmore。TheAngelisatourcottageonMackinac。Youshalltellherandplaywiththebabieswhileyouwantshelter。Thisway!\"
Theybreakfastedinaluxuriouscar，talkedovertheswamp，theworkoftheBirdWoman；Elnoratoldofhernaturelecturesintheschools，andsoontheyweregoodfriends。IntheeveningtheyleftthetrainatMackinawCityandcrossedtheStraitsbyboat。Sheetsofwhitemoonlightfloodedthewaterandpavedamoltenpathacrossthebreastofitstraighttothefaceofthemoon。
Theislandlayadarkspotonthesilversurface，itstalltreessharplyoutlinedonthesummit，andamillionlightsblinkedaroundtheshore。Thenightgunsboomedfromthewhitefortandadarksentinelpacedtherampartsabovethelittlecitytuckeddownclosetothewater。
Agreattenorsummeringinthenorthcameoutontheupperdeckofthebigboat，andbaringhishead，facedthemoonandsang:\"Oh，themoonshinesbrightonmyoldKentuckyhome!\"ElnorathoughtoftheLimberlost，ofPhilip，andhermother，andalmostchokedwiththesobsthatwouldariseinherthroat。OnthedockawomanofexquisitebeautysweptintothearmsofTerenceO\'More。
\"Oh，Freckles!\"shecried。\"You\'vebeengoneamonth!\"
\"Fourdays，Angel，onlyfourdaysbytheclock，\"
remonstratedFreckles。\"Wherearethechildren?\"
\"Asleep!Thankgoodness!I\'mworntoathread。Ineversawsuchinventive，activechildren。Ican\'tkeeptrackofthem!\"
\"Ihavebroughtyouhelp，\"saidFreckles。\"HereistheLimberlostgirlinwhomtheBirdWomanisinterested。
MissComstockneedsarestbeforebeginningherschoolworkfornextyear，soshecametous。\"
\"Youdearthing!Howgoodofyou!\"criedtheAngel。
\"Weshallbesohappytohaveyou!\"
Inherroomthatnight，inabeautifulcottagefurnishedwitheveryluxury，ElnoraliftedatiredfacetotheAngel。
\"Ofcourse，youunderstandthereissomethingbackofthis?\"shesaid。\"Imusttellyou。\"
\"Yes，\"agreedtheAngel。\"Tellme!Ifyougetitoutofyoursystem，youwillstandabetterchanceofsleeping。\"
Elnorastoodbrushingthecopper-brightmassesofherhairasshetalked。WhenshefinishedtheAngelwasalmosthysterical。
\"Youinsanecreature!\"shecried。\"Howcrazyofyoutoleavehimtoher!Iknowbothofthem。Ihavemetthemoften。Shemaybeabletomakegoodherboast。
Butitisperfectlysplendidofyou!And，afterall，reallyitistheonlyway。Icanseethat。IthinkitiswhatI
shouldhavedonemyself，ortriedtodo。Idon\'tknowthatIcouldhavedoneit!WhenIthinkofwalkingawayandleavingFreckleswithawomanheonceloved，toletherseeifshecanmakehimloveheragain，oh，itgivesmeagraveyardheart。No，Inevercouldhavedoneit!YouarebiggerthanIeverwas。Ishouldhaveturnedcoward，sure。\"
\"Iamacoward，\"admittedElnora。\"Iamsoul-sick!
IamafraidIshalllosemysensesbeforethisisover。
Ididn\'twanttocome!Iwantedtostay，togostraightintohisarms，tobindmyselfwithhisring，tolovehimwithallmyheart。Itwasn\'tmyfaultthatIcame。
Therewassomethinginsidethatjustpushedme。Sheisbeautiful——\"
\"Iquiteagreewithyou!\"
\"Youcanimaginehowfascinatingshecanbe。Sheusednoartsonme。Herpurposewastocowerme。Shefoundshecouldnotdothat，butshedidathingwhichhelpedhermore:sheprovedthatshewashonest，perfectlysincereinwhatshethought。ShebelievesthatifshemerelybeckonstoPhilip，hewillgotoher。SoIamgivinghertheopportunitytolearnfromhimwhathewilldo。
Sheneverwillbelieveitfromanyoneelse。Whensheissatisfied，Ishallbealso。\"
\"But，child!Supposeshewinshimback!\"
\"ThatisthesuppositionwithwhichIshalleatandsleepforthecomingfewweeks。Wouldonedareaskforapeepatthebabiesbeforegoingtobed?\"
\"Now，youareperfect!\"announcedtheAngel。\"InevershouldhavelikedyouallIcan，ifyouhadbeencontenttogotosleepinthishousewithoutaskingtoseethebabies。Comethisway。Wenamedthefirstboyforhisfather，ofcourse，andthegirlforAuntAlice。
Thenextboyisnamedformyfather，andthebabyfortheBirdWoman。Afterthiswearegoingtobranchout。\"
Elnorabegantolaugh。
\"Oh，Isuspecttherewillbequiteanumberofthem，\"
saidtheAngelserenely。\"Iamtoldthemoretherearethelesstroubletheymake。Thebigonestakecareofthelittleones。Wewantalargefamily。Thisisourstart。\"
Sheenteredadarkroomandheldaloftacandle。Shewenttothesideofasmallwhiteironbedinwhichlayaboyofeightandanotherofthree。Theywereperfectlyformed，rosychildren，theelderareplicaofhismother，theotherverylike。Thentheycametoacradlewhereababygirlofalmosttwosleptsoundly，andmadeapicture。
\"Butjustseehere!\"saidtheAngel。Shethrewthelightonasleepinggirlofsix。Amassofredcurlssweptthepillow。LineandfeaturethefacewasthatofFreckles。
Withoutasking，Elnoraknewthecolourandexpressionoftheclosedeyes。TheAngelhandedElnorathecandle，andstooping，straightenedthechild\'sbody。Sheranherfingersthroughthebrightcurls，andlightlytouchedthearistocraticlittlenose。
\"Thesupplyoffrecklesholdsoutinmyfamily，yousee!\"
shesaid。\"Bothofthegirlswillhavethem，andthesecondboyafew。\"
Shestoodaninstantlonger，thenbending，ranherhandcaressinglydownarosybareleg，whileshekissedthebabyishredmouth。Therehadbeensomereasonfortouchingallofthem，thekissfellonthelipswhichwerelikeFreckles\'s。
ToElnorashesaidatendergood-night，whisperingbravewordsofencouragementandmakingplanstofillthedaystocome。Thenshewentaway。Anhourlatertherewasalighttaponthegirl\'sdoor。
\"Come!\"shecalledasshelaystaringintothedark。
TheAngelfeltherwaytothebedside，satdownandtookElnora\'shands。
\"Ijusthadtocomebacktoyou，\"shesaid。\"IhavebeentellingFreckles，andheisalmosthurtinghimselfwithlaughing。Ididn\'tthinkitwasfunny，buthedoes。
Hethinksit\'sthefunniestthingthateverhappened。
HesaysthattorunawayfromMr。Ammon，whenyouhadmadehimnopromiseatall，whenhewasn\'tsureofyou，won\'tsendhimhometoher；itwillsethimhuntingyou!
HesaysifyouhadcombinedthewisdomofSolomon，Socrates，andalltheremainderofthewisemen，youcouldn\'thavechosenanycoursethatwouldhavesealedhimtoyousosurely。HefeelsthatnowMr。Ammonwillperfectlyhateherforcomingdownthereanddrivingyouaway。Andyouwenttogiveherthechanceshewanted。
Oh，Elnora!Itisbecomingfunny!Iseeit，too!\"
TheAngelrockedonthebedside。Elnorafacedthedarkinsilence。
\"Forgiveme，\"gulpedtheAngel。\"Ididn\'tmeantolaugh。
Ididn\'tthinkitwasfunny，untilallatonceitcametome。Oh，dear!Elnora，itfunny!I\'vegottolaugh!\"
\"Maybeitis，\"admittedElnora\"toothers；butitisn\'tveryfunnytome。Anditwon\'tbetoPhilip，ortomother。\"
Thatwasverytrue。Mrs。Comstockhadbeenslightlypreparedforstringentactionofsomekind，bywhatElnorahadsaid。Themotherinstantlyhadguessedwherethegirlwouldgo，butnothingwassaidtoPhilip。ThatwouldhavebeentoinvalidateElnora\'stestinthebeginning，andMrs。ComstockknewherchildwellenoughtoknowthatsheneverwouldmarryPhilipunlessshefeltitrightthatsheshould。Theonlywaywastofindout，andElnorahadgonetoseektheinformation。Therewasnothingtodobutwaituntilshecameback，andhermotherwasnotintheleastuneasybutthatthegirlwouldreturnbraveandself-reliant，asalways。
PhilipAmmonhurriedbacktotheLimberlost，stronginthehopethatnowhemighttakeElnoraintohisarmsandreceiveherpromisetobecomehiswife。Hisfirstshockofdisappointmentcamewhenhefoundhergone。
IntalkingwithMrs。ComstockhelearnedthatEdithCarrhadmadeanopportunitytospeakwithElnoraalone。
Hehasteneddowntheroadtomeether，comingbackalone，anagitatedman。Thensearchrevealedthenotes。Hisread:
DEARPHILIP:
IfindthatIamnevergoingtobeabletoansweryourquestionofthisafternoonfairlytoallofus，whenyouarewithme。SoIamgoingawayafewweekstothinkovermattersalone。Ishallnottellyou，orevenmother，whereIamgoing，butIshallbesafe，wellcaredfor，andhappy。Pleasegobackhomeandliveamongyourfriends，justasyoualwayshavedone，andonorbeforethefirstofSeptember，I
willwriteyouwhereIam，andwhatIhavedecided。PleasedonotblameEdithCarrforthis，anddonotavoidher。Ihopeyouwillcallonherandbefriends。Ithinksheisverysorry，andcovetsyourfriendshipatleast。UntilSeptember，then，asever，ELNORA。
Mrs。Comstock\'snotewasmuchthesame。Philipwasillwithdisappointment。Inthearbourhelaidhisheadonthetable，amongtheimplementsofElnora\'slovedwork，andgulpeddowndrysobshecouldnotrestrain。Mrs。Comstockneverhadlikedhimsowell。Herhandinvoluntarilycrepttowardhisdarkhead，thenshedrewback。Elnorawouldnotwanthertodoanythingwhatevertoinfluencehim。
\"WhatamIgoingtodotoconvinceEdithCarrthatI
donotloveher，andElnorathatIamhers?\"hedemanded。
\"Iguessyouhavetofigurethatoutyourself，\"saidMrs。Comstock。\"I\'dbegladtohelpyouifIcould，butitseemstobeuptoyou。\"
Philipsatalongtimeinsilence。\"Well，Ihavedecided!\"
hesaidabruptly。\"AreyouperfectlysureElnorahadplentyofmoneyandasafeplacetogo?\"
\"Absolutely!\"answeredMrs。Comstock。\"Shehasbeentakingcareofherselfeversinceshewasborn，andshealwayshascomeoutallright，sofar；I\'llstakeallI\'mworthonit，thatshealwayswill。Idon\'tknowwheresheis，butI\'mnotgoingtoworryabouthersafety。\"
\"Ican\'thelpworrying!\"criedPhilip。\"Icanthinkoffiftythingsthatmayhappentoherwhenshethinkssheissafe。Thisisdistracting!First，Iamgoingtorunuptoseemyfather。Then，I\'llletyouknowwhatwehavedecided。IsthereanythingIcandoforyou?\"
\"Nothing!\"saidMrs。Comstock。
Butthedesiretodosomethingforhimwassostrongwithhershescarcelycouldkeepherlipsclosedorherhandsquiet。ShelongedtotellhimwhatEdithCarrhadsaid，howithadaffectedElnora，andtocomforthimasshefeltshecould。Butloyaltytothegirlheldher。IfElnoratrulyfeltthatshecouldnotdecideuntilEdithCarrwasconvinced，thenEdithCarrwouldhavetoyieldortriumph。
ItrestedwithPhilip。SoMrs。Comstockkeptsilent，whilePhiliptookthenightlimited，abitterlydisappointedman。
Bynoonthenextdayhewasinhisfather\'soffices。Theyhadalongconference，butdidnotarriveatmuchuntiltheelderAmmonsuggestedsendingforPolly。AnythingthatmighthavehappenedcouldbeexplainedafterPollyhadtoldoftheprivateconferencebetweenEdithandElnora。
\"Talkaboutlovelywoman!\"criedPhilipAmmon。\"OnewouldthinkthataftersuchadoseasEdithgaveme，shewouldbesatisfiedtoletmegomyway，butno!Notcaringformeenoughherselftosavemefrompublicdisgrace，shemustnowpursuemetokeepanyotherwomanfromlovingme。
Icallthattoomuch!Iamgoingtoseeher，andIwantyoutogowithme，father。\"
\"Verywell，\"saidMr。Ammon，\"Iwillgo。\"
WhenEdithCarrcameintoherreception-roomthatafternoon，gownedforconquest，sheexpectedonlyPhilip，andhimpenitent。Shecamehurryingtowardhim，smiling，radiant，readytouseeveryallurementshepossessed，andpausedindismaywhenshesawhiscoldfaceandhisfather。
\"Why，Phil!\"shecried。\"Whendidyoucomehome?\"
\"Iamnotathome，\"answeredPhilip。\"Imerelyranuptoseemyfatheronbusiness，andtoinquireofyouwhatitwasyousaidtoMissComstockyesterdaythatcausedhertodisappearbeforeIcouldreturntotheLimberlost。\"
\"MissComstockdisappear!Impossible!\"criedEdithCarr。
\"Wherecouldshego?\"
\"Ithoughtperhapsyoucouldanswerthat，sinceitwasthroughyouthatshewent。\"
\"Phil，Ihaven\'tthefaintestideawheresheis，\"saidthegirlgently。
\"Butyouknowperfectlywhyshewent!Kindlytellmethat。\"
\"Letmeseeyoualone，andIwill。\"
\"Hereandnow，ornotatall。\"
\"Phil!\"
\"WhatdidyousaytothegirlIlove?\"
ThenEdithCarrstretchedoutherarms。
\"Phil，Iamthegirlyoulove!\"shecried。\"Allyourlifeyouhavelovedme。Surelyitcannotbeallgoneinafewweeksofmisunderstanding。Iwasjealousofher!
Ididnotwantyoutoleavemeaninstantthatnightforanyothergirlliving。ThatwasthemothIwasrepresenting。
Everyoneknewit!Iwantedyoutobringittome。
Whenyoudidnot，Iknewinstantlyithadbeenforherthatyouworkedlastsummer，shewhosuggestedmydress，shewhohadpowertotakeyoufromme，whenI
wantedyoumost。Thethoughtdrovememad，andIsaidanddidthoseinsanethings。Phil，Ibegyourpardon!
Iaskyourforgiveness。Yesterdayshesaidthatyouhadtoldherofmeatonce。ShevowedbothofyouhadbeentruetomeandPhil，Icouldn\'tlookintohereyesandnotseethatitwasthetruth。Oh，Phil，ifyouunderstoodhowIhavesufferedyouwouldforgiveme。Phil，IneverknewhowmuchIcaredforyou!Iwilldoanything——anything!\"
\"ThentellmewhatyousaidtoElnorayesterdaythatdroveher，aloneandfriendless，intothenight，heavenknowswhere!\"
\"Youhavenothoughtforanyonesaveher?\"
\"Yes，\"saidPhilip。\"Ihave。BecauseIoncelovedyou，andbelievedinyou，myheartachesforyou。Iwillgladlyforgiveanythingyouask。Iwilldoanythingyouwant，excepttoresumeourformerrelations。Thatisimpossible。
Itishopelessanduselesstoaskit。\"
\"Youtrulymeanthat!\"
\"Yes。\"
\"ThenfindoutfromherwhatIsaid!\"
\"Come，father，\"saidPhilip，rising。
\"YouweregoingtoshowMissComstock\'slettertoEdith!\"suggestedMr。Ammon。
\"IhavenottheslightestinterestinMissComstock\'sletter，\"saidEdithCarr。
\"Youarenoteveninterestedinthefactthatshesaysyouarenotresponsibleforhergoing，andthatIamtocallonyouandbefriendswithyou?\"
\"Thatisinteresting，indeed!\"sneeredMissCarr。
Shetooktheletter，readandreturnedit。
\"Shehasdonewhatshecouldformycause，itseems，\"
shesaidcoldly。\"Howverygenerousofher!DoyouproposecallingoutPinkertonsandinstitutingageneralsearch?\"
\"No，\"repliedPhilip。\"IsimplyproposetogobacktotheLimberlostandlivewithhermother，untilElnorabecomesconvincedthatIamnotcourtingyou，andnevershallbe。Then，perhaps，shewillcomehometous。
Good-bye。Goodlucktoyoualways!\"
CHAPTERXXIV
WHEREINEDITHCARRWAGESABATTLE，ANDHARTHENDERSONSTANDSGUARD
Manypeoplelooked，afewfollowed，whenEdithCarrslowlycamedownthemainstreetofMackinac，pausinghereandtheretonotetheglowofcolourinonesmallboothafteranother，overflowingwithgaycurios。
Thatstreetofpackedwhitesand，windingwiththecurvesoftheshore，outlinedwithbrilliantshops，andthrongedwithlaughing，bare-headedpeopleinoutingcostumeswasapicturesqueandfascinatingsight。
Thousandsannuallymadelongjourneysandpaidexorbitantpricestotakepartinthatpageant。
AsEdithCarrpassed，shewasthemostdistinguishedfigureoftheoldstreet。Herclingingblackgownwassufficientlyelaborateforadinnerdress。Onherheadwasalarge，wide，drooping-brimmedblackhat，withimmensefloatingblackplumes，whileonthebrim，andamongthelacesonherbreastglowedvelvety，deepredroses。
Somewaythesemadeupforthelackofcolourinhercheeksandlips，andwhilehereyesseemedunnaturallybright，toacloseobservertheyappearedweary。Despitetheeffortshemadetomovelightlyshewasverytired，anddraggedherheavyfeetwithaneffort。
Sheturnedatthelittlestreetleadingtothedock，andwenttomeetthebiglakesteamerploughinguptheStraitsfromChicago。Pastthelandingplace，ontotheveryendofthepiershewent，thensatdown，leanedagainstadocksupportandclosedhertiredeyes。Whenthesteamercameverycloseshelanguidlywatchedthepeopleliningtherailing。Instantlyshemarkedoneleananxiousfaceturnedtowardhers，andwithathrobofpitysheliftedahandandwavedtoHartHenderson。Hewasthefirstmantoleavetheboat，comingtoherinstantly。Shespreadhertrailingskirtsandmotionedhimtositbesideher。
Silentlytheylookedacrossthesoftlylappingwater。
Atlastsheforcedherselftospeaktohim。
\"Didyouhaveasuccessfultrip?\"
\"Iaccomplishedmypurpose。\"
\"Youdidn\'tloseanytimegettingback。\"
\"IneverdowhenIamcomingtoyou。\"
\"Doyouwanttogotothecottageforanything?\"
\"No。\"
\"ThenletussithereandwaituntilthePetoskeysteamercomesin。Iliketowatchtheboats。
SometimesIstudythefaces，ifIamnottootired。\"
\"Haveyouseenanynewtypesto-day?\"
Sheshookherhead。\"Thishasnotbeenaneasyday，Hart。\"
\"Andit\'sgoingtobeworse，\"saidHendersonbitterly。
\"There\'snouseputtingitoff。Edith，Isawsomeoneto-day。\"
\"Youshouldhaveseenthousands，\"shesaidlightly。
\"Idid。Butofthemall，onlyonewillbeofinteresttoyou。\"
\"Manorwoman?\"
\"Man。\"
\"Where?\"
\"LakeShoreprivatehospital。\"
\"Anaccident?\"
\"No。Nervousandphysicalbreakdown。\"
\"PhilsaidhewasgoingbacktotheLimberlost。\"
\"Hewent。Hewastherethreeweeks，butthestrainbrokehim。Hehasanoldletterinhishandsthathehashandleduntilitisragged。Heheldituptomeandsaid:
\"Youcanseeforyourselfthatshesaysshewillbewellandhappy，butwecan\'tknowuntilweseeheragain，andthatmayneverbe。Shemayhavegonetoonearthatplaceherfatherwentdown，someofthatLimberlostgangmayhavefoundherintheforest，shemayliedeadinsomecitymorguethisinstant，waitingformetofindherbody。\"
\"Hart!Forpitysakestop!\"
\"Ican\'t，\"criedHendersondesperately。\"Iamforcedtotellyou。Theyarefightingbrainfever。Hedidgobacktotheswampandheprowleditnightandday。
Thedaysdowntherearehotnow，andthenightswetwithdewandcold。Hepaidnoattentionandforgothisfood。
Afeverstartedandhisunclebroughthimhome。
They\'veneverhadawordfromher，orfoundatraceofher。Mrs。ComstockthoughtshehadgonetoO\'Mores\'atGreatRapids，sowhenPhilbrokedownshetelegraphedthere。
Theyhadbeengoneallsummer，sohermotherisasanxiousasPhil。\"
\"TheO\'Moresarehere，\"saidEdith。\"Ihaven\'tseenanyofthem，becauseIhaven\'tgoneoutmuchinthefewdayssincewecame，butthisistheirsummerhome。\"
\"Edith，theysayatthehospitalthatitwilltakecarefulnursingtosavePhil。Heissurroundedbystacksofmapsandrailroadguides。Heistryingtoframeupaplantosettheentiredetectiveagencyofthecountrytowork。
Hesayshewillstaytherejusttwodayslonger。Thedoctorssayhewillkillhimselfwhenhegoes。Heisasickman，Edith。Hishandsareburningandshakyandhisbreathwashotagainstmyface。\"
\"Whyareyoutellingme?\"Itwasacryofacuteanguish。
\"Hethinksyouknowwheresheis。\"