improved in health. 'But,' he added, 'she must never be allowed to work so continuously again.' Felix must see to it that there occur frequent periods of relaxation, spent in the open, if possible. 'If you could afford to buy a small car for your wife, it would be splendid,' he threw out, 'or if that is out of the question . . .'
But already the seed was fertilized. He could afford it! Amazing fact! A car for Sheilah! A car that he himself bought for Sheilah! He had never been able to buy anything for her of any account before. All the plans and preparations for her vacation made by another than himself! All her new clothes for the occasion provided by a stranger! The very thought of buying a car for Sheilah was salve to the deeply-buried hurt Felix had been silently enduring ever since Cicely's offer had been accepted.
When he reached the apartment that night after his talk with Dr. Evarts, he made his way immediately to the dining-room closet, groped in the dark interior for his light overcoat, and felt of it. The bond was still there. He closed the door softly upon it, crossed the room to the couch and sat down.
He mustn't arouse Sheilah's suspicion. It would kill her if she ever knew he had stolen anything. He hadn't really stolen it. Just found it, and failed to return it until it was too late. But she wouldn't understand the difference. My, but he hated, though,
