In Friendship's Guise

Book Excerpt: ...n easel. He turned up the lamp, opened the envelope, and read the contents: "Dear Jack: --"Good-by forever. You will never see me again. Forgive me and try to forget. It is better that we should part, as I could not endure a life of poverty. I love you no longer, and I am sure that you have tired of me. I am going with one who has taken your place in my heart--one who can gratify my every wish. It will be useless to seek for me. Again, farewell. DIANE."The letter fell from Jack's hand, and he trampled it under foot. He reeled into the dainty bedroom, and his burning eyes noted the signs of confusion and flight--the open and empty drawers, the despoiled dressing table, the discarded clothing strewn on the floor."Gone!" he cried hoarsely. "Gone at the bidding of some scoundrel--perhaps a trusted friend and comrade! God help my betrayer when the day of reckoning comes! But I am well rid of her. She was heartless and mercenary. She never could have loved me--she has left me because she knew that my