" the old man asked.

"I have, but it cannot very well be set forth in words; and with much
respect for you, General, I must say that I prefer not to illustrate
it."

"You see it's rather vague, father. Let me ask if she has said
positively that she will be your wife?"

"Her lips may have made no promise beyond a figure of speech, and yet
her heart----"

"Ah, more vague than ever," the young man broke in, looking at his
father as if he were impatient to get away. "I must have left it
somewhere else," he added, and the old General frowned upon him.

"Chydister, if you lose that woman it is your own fault."

"Well, no, I can hardly agree with you there, father. If I lose her it
will be the fault of circumstances. Are you done with me?"

"Yes, you can go," said the General. He stooped, reached back for the
lounge and laboriously stretched himself upon it. Chyd went out and I
remarked that it was time for me to go. The old man made no reply,
seeming not to have heard me, but as I turned toward the door he raised
up and said:

"I would be a fool, sir, to blame you; and I trust that you will not
blame me for hoping that you are mistaken."

He lay down again, and I left him. Millie was standing at the gate when
I went out, and she pretended not to see me until I had passed into the
road, and then, with the manner of a surprise, she said: "Oh, I didn't
think you were going so soon--thought you and father were having an
argument. Do you see--see him very often?"

There was a tremulous tenderness in her voice, and I knew that there
were tears in her eyes, and I looked far away down the road, as I stood
there with the gate between us.

"I have seen him every day," I answered.

"And does he look wretched and heart-broken?"

"No, he is happy, for he knows that you love him."

She caught her breath with a sob and I looked far away down the road.

"You told him--told him that I did. And I am so thankful to you; I would
do anything for you. I dream of him all the time, and I see you with
him. How terrible it is, shut up there and the sun is so bright for
everyone else. Sometimes I go into the closet and stay there in the
dark, for then I am nearer him. When will you see him again?"

"I am going back to town to-morrow."

"Will you please give him this?"

I reached forth my hand and upon my palm she placed a locket.

"I know that if you study law, Mr. Hawes, you will get him out. You are
so strong that you can do