He eyed her with a curious, watching interest and she returned the look, her own uneasily intent. 

 "Why do you stop to tell me that," was what she said. "Everybody knew it was coming." 

 He shrugged and then smiled, a smile full of meaning: 

 "I thought you'd like to hear it—from me, first hand. I'll be a free man in a year." 

 She stood for a moment looking at the ground, then lifting the parasol over her head, said: 

 "If you're going to catch the three forty-five you'd better hurry." 

 His smile deepened, showed a roguish malice, and as he turned from her, raising his hat, he murmured just loud enough for her to hear: 

 "Thanks for reminding me. I wouldn't miss that train for a farm—I'm devilish keen to get to the city." 

 He ran back to the waiting motor and the girl resumed her walk, her step even slower than before, her face down-drooped in frowning reverie. 

 There was no chair car on the three forty-five and Chapman had to travel in the common coach, Willitts and the luggage crowded into the seat behind him. It was an hour and a half run to the Pennsylvania Station and he spent the time thinking over the situation and arranging his future. His business—Long Island real estate—had been allowed to go to the dogs. He would have to get busy in earnest, and, with his friends and large acquaintance to throw things in his way, he could put it on a paying basis. His expenses would have to be cut down to the bone. He'd give up his chambers, a suite in a bachelor apartment—Willitts could find him a cheap room somewhere—and of course he'd give up Willitts. That had been already arranged and the faithful soul had asked leave to help him in the move and stay with him till a new job was found. He would keep his car—it would be necessary in his business—and could be stored in the garage at Cedar Brook where he'd spend his week-ends with the Hartleys. Joe Hartley was one of his best friends, knew all about his marriage and had counseled a separation more than a year ago. He'd probably spend a good deal of his time at Cedar Brook, it was a growing place; unfortunate that it should be the next station after Berkeley, but it could not be helped. He was bound to run into the Janney outfit and he'd have to get used to it. 

 The train was entering the 

 Prev. P 10/189 next