Page:Restless Earth.djvu/45

good thing about it. But, it isn’t absolutely essential that you go back to town to-day?”

“I must, Jimmy. I have to attend to the Langham-woman’s fittings.”

“Confound the Langham woman! Let her wait. She has interfered in our affairs long enough.”

“I really must go———”

“But what am I to do with the remainder of this glorious afternoon?”

“Lie in the sun and dream, or wander these stretching miles of wind-swept beach in an agony of delicious loneliness,” she smiled.

Harley shook his head slowly.

“My wandering is finished,” he said softly.

Patricia leaned over him impulsively and kissed his ready lips.

“I hope it is, Jimmy. I hope it is.”

Her mood changed. She sat back upon her heels and looked at him with a slight frown.

“But, remember, I gave you your chance, Jimmy,” she said, her tones sharpened and her mouth firm.

He looked up at her gravely.

“I will remember,” he replied; “and I will remember that I took my chance, and be grateful all the days of my life.”

“You know I didn’t mean that, Jimmy———”

“Dear heart, the day is too precious to waste in vain argument,” he protested with a smile. “I’ll remember all you tell me. I’ll remember you were ready and willing to sacrifice yourself if it would have meant happiness for Grace and for me. Grace will remember, also.”

“Grace?”

“I intend to write and tell her all that has happened in this hour———”

“All?”

“All. Everything. It will be there in writing for her—a confession which will give her freedom.”

Patricia caught her breath sharply.

“It is only right, Pat,” he insisted apologetically,