“You make it difficult,” said Elnora.  “But I will promise you that.  Whenever the last doubt vanishes, I will let you know instantly—­if I can.”

“Would it be difficult for you?” whispered Ammon.

“I—­I don’t know,” faltered Elnora.

“It seems as if I can’t be man enough to put this thought aside and give up this afternoon,” said Philip.  “I am ashamed of myself, but I can’t help it.  I am going to ask God to make that last doubt vanish before I go this night.  I am going to believe that ring will plead for me.  I am going to hope that doubt will disappear suddenly.  I will be watching.  Every second I will be watching.  If it happens and you can’t speak, give me your hand.  Just the least movement toward me, I will understand.  Would it help you to talk this over with your mother?  Shall I call her?  Shall I——?”

Honk!  Honk!  Honk!  Hart Henderson set the horn of the big automobile going as it shot from behind the trees lining the Brushwood road.  The picture of a vine-covered cabin, a large drooping tree, a green-clad girl and a man bending over her very closely flashed into view.  Edith Carr caught her breath with a snap.  Polly Ammon gave Tom Levering a quick touch and wickedly winked at him.

Several days before, Edith had returned from Europe suddenly.  She and Henderson had called at the Ammon residence saying that they were going to motor down to the Limberlost to see Philip a few hours, and urged that Polly and Tom accompany them.  Mrs. Ammon knew that her husband would disapprove of the trip, but it was easy to see that Edith Carr had determined on going.  So the mother thought it better to have Polly along to support Philip than to allow him to confront Edith unexpectedly and alone.  Polly was full of spirit.  She did not relish the thought of Edith as a sister.  Always they had been in the same set, always Edith, because of greater beauty and wealth, had patronized Polly.  Although it had rankled, she had borne it sweetly.  But two days before, her father had extracted a promise of secrecy, given her Philip’s address and told her to send him the finest emerald ring she could select.  Polly knew how that ring would be used.  What she did not know was that the girl who accompanied her went back to the store afterward, made an excuse to the clerk that she had been sent to be absolutely sure that the address was right, and so secured it for Edith Carr.

Two days later Edith had induced Hart Henderson to take her to Onabasha.  By the aid of maps they located the Comstock land and passed it, merely to see the place.  Henderson hated that trip, and implored Edith not to take it, but she made no effort to conceal from him what she suffered, and it was more than he could endure.  He pointed out that Philip had gone away without leaving an address, because he did not wish to see her, or any of them.  But Edith was so sure of her power, she felt certain Philip needed only to see her to succumb to her beauty as he always had done, while now she was ready to plead for forgiveness.  So they came down the Brushwood road, and Henderson had just said to Edith beside him:  “This should be the Comstock land on our left.”