The girl's tears froze at his brutal words. She looked about dazed and

hopeless.

Sanderson was standing by the window, drumming a tattoo on the pane.

He wheeled about, and said slowly, as if he were feeling his way: "Anna, suppose I give you a sum of money and you go away till all this

business is over. You can tell your mother or not; just as you see

fit. As far as I am concerned, it would be impossible for me to

acknowledge our marriage as I have said before. If the governor found

it out, he would cut me off without a cent."

"But, Lennox, I cannot leave my mother. Her health grows worse daily,

and it would kill her."

"Then take her with you. She's got to know, sooner or later, I

suppose. Now, don't be a stupid little girl, and everything will turn

out well for us." He patted her cheek, but it was done perfunctorily,

and Anna knew there was no use in making a further appeal to him.

"Well, my dear," he said, "I have got to take that 4.30 train back to

Cambridge. Here is something for you, and let me know just as soon as

you make up your mind, when you intend to go and where. There is no

use in your staying in Waltham till those old cats begin to talk."

He put a roll of bills in her hand, kissed her and was gone, and Anna

turned her tottering steps homeward, sick at heart. She must tell her

mother, and the shock of it might kill her. She pressed her hands over

her burning eyes to blot out the hideous picture. Could cruel fate

offer bitterer dregs to young lips?

She stopped at the postoffice for mail. There was nothing but the

daily paper. She took it mechanically and turned into the little side

street on which they lived.

The old family servant, who still lived with them, met her at the door,

and told her that her mother had been sleeping quietly for more than an

hour.

"Good gracious, Miss Anna, but you do look ill. Just step into the

parlor and sit down for a minute, and I'll make you a cup of tea."

Anna suffered herself to be led into the little room, smiling

gratefully at the old servant as she assisted her to remove her hat and

jacket. She took up the paper mechanically and glanced through its

contents. Her eyes fell on the following item, which she followed with

hypnotic interest: "Harvard Student in Disgrace!" was the headline.




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