Alpha Book

"Are you on leave, Phil, or have you really resigned?"
"Resigned."
"I knew it," she sighed.
He said: "As I did not defend the suit I couldn't remain in the service.
There's too much said about us, anyway--about us who are appointed from
civil life. And then--to have _that_ happen!"
"Phil?"
"What?"
"Will you answer me one thing?"
"Yes, I guess so."
"Do you still care for--her?"
"I am sorry for her."
After a painful silence his sister said: "Could you tell me how it
began, Phil?"
"How it began? I don't know that, either. When Bannard's command took
the field I went with the scouts. Alixe remained in Manila. Ruthven was
there for Fane, Harmon & Co. That's how it began, I suppose; and it's a
rotten climate for morals; and that's how it began."
"Only that?"
"We had had differences. It's been one misunderstanding after another.
If you mean was I mixed up with another woman--no! She knew that."
"She was very young, Phil."
He nodded: "I don't blame her.


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