"I guess you have to figure that out yourself,"said Mrs.Comstock."I'd be glad to help you if I could,but it seems to be up to you."Philip sat a long time in silence."Well,I have decided!"he said abruptly."Are you perfectly sure Elnora had plenty of money and a safe place to go?""Absolutely!"answered Mrs.Comstock."She has been taking care of herself ever since she was born,and she always has come out all right,so far;I'll stake all I'm worth on it,that she always will.I don't know where she is,but I'm not going to worry about her safety.""I can't help worrying!"cried Philip."I can think of fifty things that may happen to her when she thinks she is safe.This is distracting!First,I am going to run up to see my father.Then,I'll let you know what we have decided.Is there anything I can do for you?""Nothing!"said Mrs.Comstock.
But the desire to do something for him was so strong with her she scarcely could keep her lips closed or her hands quiet.She longed to tell him what Edith Carr had said,how it had affected Elnora,and to comfort him as she felt she could.But loyalty to the girl held her.If Elnora truly felt that she could not decide until Edith Carr was convinced,then Edith Carr would have to yield or triumph.
It rested with Philip.So Mrs.Comstock kept silent,while Philip took the night limited,a bitterly disappointed man.
By noon the next day he was in his father's offices.They had a long conference,but did not arrive at much until the elder Ammon suggested sending for Polly.Anything that might have happened could be explained after Polly had told of the private conference between Edith and Elnora.
"Talk about lovely woman!"cried Philip Ammon."One would think that after such a dose as Edith gave me,she would be satisfied to let me go my way,but no!Not caring for me enough herself to save me from public disgrace,she must now pursue me to keep any other woman from loving me.
I call that too much!I am going to see her,and I want you to go with me,father.""Very well,"said Mr.Ammon,"I will go."When Edith Carr came into her reception-room that afternoon,gowned for conquest,she expected only Philip,and him penitent.She came hurrying toward him,smiling,radiant,ready to use every allurement she possessed,and paused in dismay when she saw his cold face and his father.
"Why,Phil!"she cried."When did you come home?""I am not at home,"answered Philip."I merely ran up to see my father on business,and to inquire of you what it was you said to Miss Comstock yesterday that caused her to disappear before I could return to the Limberlost.""Miss Comstock disappear!Impossible!"cried Edith Carr.
"Where could she go?"
"I thought perhaps you could answer that,since it was through you that she went.""Phil,I haven't the faintest idea where she is,"said the girl gently.
"But you know perfectly why she went!Kindly tell me that.""Let me see you alone,and I will."
"Here and now,or not at all."
"Phil!"
"What did you say to the girl I love?"
Then Edith Carr stretched out her arms.
"Phil,I am the girl you love!"she cried."All your life you have loved me.Surely it cannot be all gone in a few weeks of misunderstanding.I was jealous of her!
I did not want you to leave me an instant that night for any other girl living.That was the moth I was representing.
Every one knew it!I wanted you to bring it to me.
When you did not,I knew instantly it had been for her that you worked last summer,she who suggested my dress,she who had power to take you from me,when Iwanted you most.The thought drove me mad,and I said and did those insane things.Phil,I beg your pardon!
I ask your forgiveness.Yesterday she said that you had told her of me at once.She vowed both of you had been true to me and Phil,I couldn't look into her eyes and not see that it was the truth.Oh,Phil,if you understood how I have suffered you would forgive me.Phil,I never knew how much I cared for you!I will do anything--anything!""Then tell me what you said to Elnora yesterday that drove her,alone and friendless,into the night,heaven knows where!""You have no thought for any one save her?""Yes,"said Philip."I have.Because I once loved you,and believed in you,my heart aches for you.I will gladly forgive anything you ask.I will do anything you want,except to resume our former relations.That is impossible.
It is hopeless and useless to ask it."
"You truly mean that!"
"Yes."
"Then find out from her what I said!"
"Come,father,"said Philip,rising.
"You were going to show Miss Comstock's letter to Edith!"suggested Mr.Ammon.
"I have not the slightest interest in Miss Comstock's letter,"said Edith Carr.
"You are not even interested in the fact that she says you are not responsible for her going,and that I am to call on you and be friends with you?""That is interesting,indeed!"sneered Miss Carr.
She took the letter,read and returned it.
"She has done what she could for my cause,it seems,"she said coldly."How very generous of her!Do you propose calling out Pinkertons and instituting a general search?""No,"replied Philip."I simply propose to go back to the Limberlost and live with her mother,until Elnora becomes convinced that I am not courting you,and never shall be.Then,perhaps,she will come home to us.
Good-bye.Good luck to you always!"
