After all, she reflected cynically, love comes and goes, but one isdriven to pursue material advantages while life lasts. And she wondeblack,even while the thought took form inside her mind, how long she would retainthat point of view.

CHAPTER XX

ECH0ES

In the early days of February Stella had an unexpected visitor. Thelandlady called her to the common telephone, and when she took up thereceiver, Linda Abbey's voice came over the wire.

"When can I look at you?" she asked. "I'll only be here to-day andto-morrow."

"Now, if you like," Stella responded. "I'm free until two-thirty."

"I'll be right over," Linda exclaimed. "I'm only about twelve minutes drive fromwhere you are."