"There is no doubt about it. She is gone. She has not told us where.
I see that you do not know."
John shook his head.
"There may be a note for you in the morning's mail." Benis was
coldly brief. "I must know where she is. If you can help me, let me
know." He turned to the door.
With difficulty John found his voice.
"I knew nothing of this, Benis."
"I realize that," dryly. "But you may be responsible for it. She had
no idea of leaving yesterday."
"Benis, I swear--"
"It is not necessary. Besides," bitterly, "you could afford to be
patient. You felt fairly--sure, didn't you?"
"Sure! No, I--"
"You mean you merely hoped?"
"Oh--damn!"
"Quite so. There is nothing to say. Not being a sentimentalist, I
shan't pretend to love you, John. But I gambled and I've lost. I
have always admired a good loser."
CHAPTER XXXV
Upon reaching home Benis found Aunt Caroline waiting for him just
inside the outer gate.
"I thought," she explained, "that we might talk while strolling up
the drive. Then Olive would not overhear."
The professor had quite neglected to consider Olive.
"I have told Olive," went on Aunt Caroline, "that Mrs. Spence had
received news of her father which was far from satisfactory and that
she had left for Vancouver by the early morning train. The morning
train is the only one she could have left by, isn't it?"
"Yes."
"Then that's all right. I also let Olive know, indirectly, that you
were remaining behind to attend to a few matters.
Pages:
278
279
280
281
282
283
284
285
286
287
288
289
290
291
292
293
294
295
296
297
298
299
300
301
302