No! she had undoubtedly crossed him off her books, as he ought to cross her off his. He ought to write the word "Dropped" under her name, as under that of a soldier who was out of the service.
And so he tossed hope and despair like a mad juggler who cannot rest. On the third day, when he came from the parade-ground, he was informed that he had been wanted on the telephone. He was to call up such a number. "Yes, sir, it was a lady's voice, sir."
It must be Persis. No, it might be an operator in a hotel. It might be her maid. It might be anybody. It proved to be the telephone-girl in the office of Senator Tait.
In a moment, by the occult influence of the telephone, the unknown woman vanished and Senator Tait's soul was in communication with his. The genial heart seemed to quiver in the air.
"That you, Harvey?"
"Yes. Hello, Senator."
"You sound mighty doleful, my boy. Anything the matter?"
"No, I'm all right."
"Are you sure you're not dead? You disappeared so completely I thought you might be. You sound as if you wished you were."
"Oh no, I'm all right."