side of the road. He saw her and was just going to call, when it
seemed to strike him where she had come from. I couldn't see very
well across the road, but he looked as if someone had hit him. And
he went on without saying a word. Now that looked queer to me.

"Don't write and say that I'm only guessing at things. I may be
mistaken, of course, but I know I'm not. And I'm not a Pharisee (or
whoever it was that threw stones). If she cares for Doctor, I
suppose she can't help it. Some people think her husband handsome
but I don't. He's too thin and he has the oddest little smile. It
slips out and slips in like a mouse. When Dr. John smiles, he smiles
all over.

"Well, I'll wait a week or so to make sure. Although I'm sure now.
If I ever see Doctor look at her, I'll know. You see, I know how
he'd look if he looked that way. I've kept hoping--but I guess I'd
better take my ticket, Yours,

"MARY."

This letter satisfactorily explains the loss, some weeks later, of
Dr. Rogers' capable nurse--a matter which he, himself, could never
understand.




CHAPTER XXVIII

Desire was smiling as she left Dr. Rogers' office. It was a smile