free now as when she came into this room. I
shall not ask her to bind herself to me, but I will be false to myself,
and false to her, if I do not say that I love her as dearly as man ever
loved woman, and come what may, I shall love her till I die."

The ring in Shock's voice as he spoke the last words thrilled everyone
in the room.

"Ay, lad that you will," said his mother proudly.

"Oh, aint he great," whispered Brown to Betty, who in her excitement
had drawn close to him. Betty responded with a look, but could not
trust herself to speak.

The moment was pregnant with possibilities.

As Shock finished speaking, Helen, with an indescribable mingling of
shy grace and calm strength, came and stood by his side. For the first
time Shock lost control of himself. He flushed hotly, then grew pale,
then with a slightly defiant look in his face, he put his arm lightly
about her.

"Time for that train," said Brown, who had slipped to the outer door.
"That is," he continued in his briskest manner, "if you're going."

With a quick gasp Helen turned towards Shock. He tightened his arm
about the girl, and putting his hand upon her shoulder, turned her face
toward him and looked down into her face.

"Good-bye," he said gently. "Remember you are free, free as ever you
were. I have no claim upon you, but don't forget that I will always
love you. I will never forget you."

"Good-bye, Shock," she replied in a low, sweet tone, lifting her face
to him. "I will not forget. You know I will not forget."

She slipped her arm around his neck, and while his great frame trembled
with emotion she held him fast.

"I'll not forget," she said again, the light in her great grey eyes
quenched in a quick rush of tears. "You know, Shock, I will not
forget." Her lips quivered piteously.

Then Shock cast restraint to the winds. "No," he cried aloud, "you will
not forget, thank God, you will not forget, and you are mine!"

He drew her close to him, held her a moment or two, looking into her
eyes, and as she lay limp and clinging in his arms he kissed her on the
brow, and then on the lips, and gave her to his mother.

"Here, mother," he said, "take her, be good to her, love her for my
sake."

He put his arms around his mother, kissed her twice, and was gone.

"He'll never get that train," cried Betty.

"Take the carriage," said Mrs. Fairbanks shortly, "and follow him."

"Come along! hurry!" said Betty, catching Brown's arm.

"The sta