Page:Elizabeth Jordan--Tales of the city room.djvu/203

 I know that you are tired, for I can see behind the brave, unflinching spirit you show to the world. At such times I long to say something to comfort you—but I may not. Will it interest you to know that you have a devoted and unselfish friend to whom you are more than all the world? If it will, remember this. Please accept the roses as a small reminder of the southern land we both love."

Miss Bancroft experienced a revival of interest in life. She read the letter again, seeking vainly for some clew which might lead to discovery of the writer. Her thoughts swept quickly around the circle of her friends and associates on "The Searchlight." Assuredly one of these was the man. One by one she called them up in mental review, dismissing some quickly, others more doubtfully, but all finally. She glanced again at the bowed heads of the men around her. It was impossible to picture any of them as the author of the letter she held in her hand. Several of them had loved her and had told her so, with the engaging frankness of their kind. Many of the others were happily married or engaged, or in love with "sweet girls" whose photographs they had exhibited to her