had more to do with this decision than she was willing to admit.
She therefore announced her ambition to become a trained nurse and
gave no heed to Mrs. Harbin's insinuating smile.

Letters, of late, from Mrs. Cable, had been urging her to return to
Chicago; David Cable was far from well--breaking fast--and he was
wearing out his heart in silent longing for her return. He wrote to
her himself that he expected to retire from active business early
in the year, and that his time and fortune from that day on would
be devoted to his family. He held out attractive visions of travel,
of residence abroad, of endless pleasure which they could enjoy
together.

Jane had written to them that she would not live in Chicago--any
place else in the world, she said--and they understood. There was
no word of James Bansemer in all these letters. She was always
daughter to them and they were father and mother.

Graydon Bansemer one day received three letters--all from Chicago.
He knew the handwriting on the envelope of each. Three men had
written to him, his father, Elias Droom, and Rigby. A dark scowl
came over his face as he looked at the Rigby envelope. It was the
first letter that he opened and read. Jane was sitting near by
watching the expression on his face.

"It's from Rigby," he said as he finished.

"What does he say?" she asked anxiously.

"He says he is my devoted friend for life," replied Graydon bitterly.