The Spectator., 1914-10-30

CHAPTER xiII-continued.
 Has he given up?" asked Abbott, his voice strangely unfamiliar in his own ears.
 "A man can struggle just so long against odds, then he wins or becomes broken. Women are not logical; gen. erally they permit themselves to be guided by impulse rather than by req son. This man am telling you about was proud; perhaps too proud. It is . shameful fact. but he ran away. True, he wrote letter after letter. but all these were returned unopened. Then he stopped"
 "A woman would good deal rather believe circumstantial evidence than not. Humph!" The colonel primed his pipe and relighted 1t 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 es, of course, admitting that your man. Courtlandt, is a man. Perhaps, though. 1t was his fault He was not persistent enough. maybe a bit spineless. The fact that he gave up so quickly pos Bibly convinced her that her impress sions were correct. Why. I'd have followed her day in and day out, year after year; never would I have let up until had proved to her that she had been wrong"
 The colonel Is right" Abbott ap- proved. never taking his eyes off Court landt. who was apparently absorbed in the contemplation of the bread crumbs under his fingers.
 And more. by hook or crook, I'd have dragged in the other woman by the hair and made her confess"
 T do not doubt 1t. colonel" re- sponded Courtlandt, with q 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 a woman," the Barone agreed. and he knew something about them. And where is this man now?"
 "Here." said Courtlandt, pushing back his chair and rising q am he" He turned his back upon them and sought the garden.
 Tableau!
 "Dash mel" cried the colonel, who. being the least interested personally. was first to recover his speech l The Barone drew in his breath sharply. Then he looked at Abbott.
 T suspected it," replied Abbott to the mute question. Since the episode of last night his philosophical outlook had broadened. He had lost Nora. but had come out of the agony of love refused to fuller manhood. As long as he lived he was certain that the petty affairs of the day were never again going to disturb him.
 Let him be-" was the colonel's sug- .Nestion. adding gesture in the direc. h0n of the easement door through which Courtlandt had gone. Hes as big man as Nora Is a woman. If he has returned with the determination of winning her. he will"
 They did not see Courtlandt again. After few minutes of restless to-and- S'fToing. he proceeded down to the land Ing. helped himself to the colonel's lnotor.boat. 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. Courtiandt 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, Ab- bolt and the baron made use of 1t also. They crossed in silence. heavy-hearted
 On landing Abbott said; Tt is probable that shall not see you again this year. l am leaving tomorrow for Paris. It's a great world. isn't 1t. where they toss us around like dice? Some this game you and I have lost two out Of three"
 -I shall return to Rome." replied the .Harone. My lor3 leave of absence is nex.s its end"
 
 What in the world can have hap pened?" demanded Nora. showing the two notes to Celeste. Here's Donald going to Paris tomorrow and the Bar one to Rome. They will bid us good by at tea. l don't understand Don. Ald was to remain until we left for America. and the Baroness leave does not end until October"
 ''Tomorrow." dim-eyed. Celeste re- turned the notes.
 Yes. You play the fourth ballade and I'll sing from Madame. It will be very lonesome without them" Nora gazsd into the wall mirror and gave mt or two to her hair. X When tho men arrived. 1t was i'm