When Jimmy came home to luncheon that day, Aggie succeeded in getting a

general idea of the state of affairs in the Hardy household. Of course

Jimmy didn't tell the whole truth. Oh, no--far from it. In fact, he

appeared to be aggravatingly ignorant as to the exact cause of the Hardy

upheaval. Of ONE thing, however, he was certain. "Alfred was going to

quit Chicago and leave Zoie to her own devices."

"Jimmy!" cried Aggie. "How awful!" and before Jimmy was fairly out of

the front gate, she had seized her hat and gloves and rushed to the

rescue of her friend.

Not surprised at finding Zoie in a state of collapse, Aggie opened her

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arms sympathetically to receive the weeping confidences that she was

sure would soon come.

"Zoie dear," she said as the fragile mite rocked to and fro. "What is

it?" She pressed the soft ringlets from the girl's throbbing forehead.

"It's Alfred," sobbed Zoie. "He's gone!"

"Yes, I know," answered Aggie tenderly. "Isn't it awful? Jimmy just told

me."

"Jimmy told you WHAT?" questioned Zoie, and she lifted her head and

regarded Aggie with sudden uneasiness. Her friend's answer raised Jimmy

considerably in Zoie's esteem. Apparently he had not breathed a word

about the luncheon.

"Why, Jimmy told me," continued Aggie, "that you and Alfred had had

another tiff, and that Alfred had gone for good."

"For GOOD!" echoed Zoie and her eyes were wide with terror. "Did Alfred

tell Jimmy that?"

Aggie nodded.

"Then he MEANS it!" cried Zoie, at last fully convinced of the strength

of Alfred's resolve. "But he shan't," she declared emphatically. "I

won't let him. I'll go after him. He has no right----" By this time she

was running aimlessly about the room.

"What did you do to him?" asked Aggie, feeling sure that Zoie was as

usual at fault.

"Nothing," answered Zoie with wide innocent eyes.

"Nothing?" echoed Aggie, with little confidence in her friend's ability

to judge impartially about so personal a matter.

"Absolutely nothing," affirmed Zoie. And there was no doubting that she

at least believed it.

"What does he SAY," questioned Aggie diplomatically.

"He SAYS I 'hurt his soul.' Whatever THAT is," answered Zoie, and

her face wore an injured expression. "Isn't that a nice excuse," she

continued, "for leaving your lawful wedded wife?" It was apparent that

she expected Aggie to rally strongly to her defence. But at present

Aggie was bent upon getting facts.




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