The Detroit times., 1913-10-23

"A man can struggle Just so long
against odds, then he wins or be-
comes broken. Women are not logi-
cal; generally they permit themselves
to be guided by impulse rather than
by reason. This man | am telling
you about was proud; perhaps too
proud. 1t Is q shameful fact, but he
ran away. True, he wrote letter af-
ter letter, but all these were returned
unopened. Then he stopped
"A woman would a good deal rath-
er believe circumstantial evidence
than not. Humph." The colonel
pinned his pipe and relighted II.
she couldn't have been worth
much
Worth much" cried Abbott.
What do you imply by that?"
No man will really give up a
woman who is really worth while.
that Is. OF course. admitting that your
man, Courtlandt, Is a man. Perhaps,
though. 1t was his fault He was not
persistent enough. maybe a bit spine
less. The fact that he gave up so
quickly possibly convinced her that
her Impressions were correct. Why.
I'd have followed her day in and day
out year after year; never would
nave let up until had proved to her
that she had been wrong"
The colonel is right" Abbott ap-
proved, never taking his eyes OF
Courtandt, who was apparently alb
sorbed In the contemplation of the
bread crumbs under his fingers.
And more, by hook or crook, I'd
nave dragged In the other woman by
the hair and made her confess"
L DO not doubt 1t. Colonel" re-
sponded Courtlandt. with a dry laugh.
And that would really have been the
end OF the story. The heroine of this
rambling tale would then have been
absolutely certain OF collision be-
tween the two.'
That is like woman" the Barone
agreed. and he knew something about
them. And where Is this man nowy''
Here. said Courtlandt, pushing
Dack his chair and rising. 81 am he. .
he turned his back upon them and
sought the garden.
Tableau.
Dash me-" crie6 the colonel. who.
being the least interested personallv'
was nrst to recover his speech.
me Barone drew In his breath
Sharply. Then he looked at Abbott.
L suspected It," replied Abbott to
the mute question. Since the epf-
sode OF that morning his philosophical
outlook had broadened He had fought
duel and had come out of II with
flying colOrs. AS long az he lived he
was certain that the petty affairs of
the day were never again going to
disturb him.
Let him be-" was the colonies
suggestion, adding a gesture in the
direction OF the easement door
through which Courtlandt had gone
Hes as big man as Nora Is a
woman. II he has returned with the
determination OF winning her, he
will"
They did not see Courtlandt again
After a few minutes of restless to-
and-froing, he proceeded down to the
landing. helped himself to the col
oneps motorboat, and returned to
Bellaggio. At the hotel he asked for
the duke. only to be told that the duke
and madame had left that morning
for Paris. Courtlandt saw that he had
permitted one great opportunity to
slip past. He gave up the battle.
One more good look at her, and he
would go away. The odds had been
too strong for him, and he knew that
he was broken.
When the motor-boat came back.
Abbott and the Barone made use Of
1t also. They crossed in silence.
On landing Abbott said: 1T is prob
able that l shall not see you again
this year am leaving tomorrow for
Paois. It's great world, isn't It,
where they toss us around like diceY
Some throw skies and others deuces.
And in this game you and have lost
two out of three"