Page:A Wild-Goose Chase - Balmer - 1915.djvu/57

Rh doesn't even know who I am or what the message is about."

"You mean he pretends not to. I admit it is a mighty good fraud."

"I don't believe it's a fraud, Price!"

"You mean you won't, Margaret!"

"Why should I?"

"You know it." Latham moved nearer her. "Margaret, I would have given anything, I said, if you could have been spared this. It is too monstrous, too brutal. Eric Hedon is dead, and you know in your heart he is."

"No, I don't. That's just it—I know in my heart he's alive!"

Latham recoiled. "Then your head must know better," he corrected. "He's lost. Every man who was north with him is sure of it. Every man has told you so. It's not necessary to question whether or not you would have been happy with Hedon. He is lost. Since you loved him—or believed you did—it was right for you to wait as long as you have. But now to have this fraud start you to hoping and expecting again and waiting—I can't let you."

"I'm not going to wait any longer!"