I did not need it; seldom drew a penny; my pay more than sufficing.

And, after the war had ended--ended---- Just here my heart beat out o' step, and thought was halted for a moment.

But with the warm thought and warmer blood tingling me once again, I knew and never doubted that we had not done with one another yet, nor were like to, war or no war.

For in all the world, and through all the years of youth, I had never before encountered any woman who had shared with me my waking thoughts and the last and conscious moment ere I slept.

But from the time I lost this woman out of my life, something seemed also missing from the world.