letter to Doctor Balfour."

Six months before, Mr. Dunbar had walked down these steps, mounted his
horse and hurried away to keep tryst with the fair, noble woman, whose
promised hand was the guerdon of ambitious schemes, and years of
patient, persistent wooing. To-day he rode slowly to a parting
interview, which would sever the last link that Bad so long held their
lives in tender association. Whatever of regret mingled with the
contemplation of his ruined matrimonial castle, lay hidden so deep in
the debris, that no faintest reflection was visible in his inscrutable
face.

When he reached the railway station where a special car containing a
small party, awaited the arrival of the north bound train that would
attach it to its sinuous length, a number of friends had assembled to
say good-bye to the departing favorite. The announcement of Miss
Gordon's extended yachting trip, had excited much comment in social
circles, and while people wondered at the prolongation of the
engagement, none but her immediate family suspected that the betrothal
had been cancelled.

Leo's wonted gracious composure betrayed no hint of the truth, and she
greeted Mr. Dunbar with outstretched hand and a friendly smile.

"I am indebted to your kind courtesy, Lennox, for the most auspicious
omen at the outset of my long journey; and I shall not attempt to tell
you how cordially I appreciate your tasteful souvenir. Your roses are
exquisite, and fragrant as the message they bring me."

She glanced up at a large horseshoe made of her favorite pink roses,
which had been hung by a silver wire directly over the seat she
occupied.

"Will you give me your interpretation of their message?"

He swept aside a shawl and reticule, and sat down beside her.

"It is written legibly all over their lovely petals. You wish me a
rose-strewn itinerary, all conceivable forms of 'good luck'; as though
you stood on tip-toe and shouted after me: 'Gluck auf.' As a happy
augury, I accept it. Like the old Romans, you have offered up for me a
dainty sacrifice to propitiate Domiduca--the goddess who grants
travellers a safe return home."

"Meanwhile I hope you see quite as clearly, that the thorns have all
been stripped off and set thickly along my path?"

Her smiling eyes met his steadily, and the brave heart showed no
quailing.

"If I imagine that complimentary inference is written between the
lines, is it not pardonable to welcome the assurance that you will
s