es and we have a
right to be happy. But you shan't go in, if you don't wish to," and I
accordingly steered her adroitly past the beam of light that streamed
from the open door.

"We have developed four negatives," said Thorndyke, as he emerged with
the others, "and I am leaving them in the custody of Doctor Norbury,
who will sign each when they are dry, as they may have to be put in
evidence. What are you going to do?"

I looked at Ruth to see what she wished.

"If you won't think me ungrateful," said she, "I should rather be alone
with my father to-night. He is very weak, and----"

"Yes, I understand," I said hastily. And I did. Mr. Bellingham was a
man of strong emotions and would probably be somewhat overcome by the
sudden change of fortune and the news of his brother's tragic death.

"In that case," said Thorndyke, "I will bespeak your services. Will
you go on and wait for me at my chambers, when you have seen Miss
Bellingham home?"

I agreed to this, and we set forth under the guidance of Dr. Norbury
(who carried an electric lamp) to return by the way we had come; two of
us, as least, in a vastly different frame of mind. The party broke up
at the entrance gates, and as Thorndyke wished my companion
"Good-night," she held his hand and looked up in his face with swimming
eyes.

"I haven't thanked you, Doctor Thorndyke," she said, "and I don't feel
that I ever can. What you have done for me and my father is beyond all
thanks. You have saved his life and you have rescued me from the most
horrible ignominy. Good-by! and God bless you!"

The hansom that bowled along eastward--at most unnecessary speed--bore
two of the happiest human beings within the wide boundaries of the
town. I looked at my companion as the lights of the street shone into
the cab, and was astonished at the transformation. The pallor of her
cheek had given place to a rosy pink; the hardness, the tension, the
haggard self-repression that had aged her face, were all gone, and the
girlish sweetness that had so bewitched me in the early days of our
love had stolen back. Even the dimple was there when the sweeping
lashes lifted and her eyes met mine in a smile of infinite tenderness.

Little was said on that brief journey. It was happiness enough to sit,
hand clasped in hand, and know that our time of trial was past; that no
cross of Fate could ever part us now.

The astonished cabman set us down, according to instructions, at the