oon.

"I did," said Harding with earnestness. "I'd only one regret; that
Mrs. Harding wasn't here to share it with me. Your friends are
charming ladies of a stamp Marianna and I so far haven't had much
chance to meet." Then his face grew very resolute as he added: "But
she shall have her opportunity. If things go right with us she'll get
her share of all that's best in life--and, with that at stake, we have
to make things right."

Two days later Harding got some letters he had been waiting for, and as
there was now nothing to keep them in Montreal, Blake said good-bye to
Mrs. Keith next morning. Though she was gracious to him he felt a
strong sense of disappointment at finding her alone, but when he was
going out he met Millicent in the hall. She wore her hat and the flush
of colour in her face indicated that she had been walking fast.

"I'm glad I didn't miss you, but I had an errand to do," she said.
"You are going now; by the Vancouver express?"

"Yes," said Blake, stopping beside a pillar; "I was feeling rather
gloomy until I saw you. Harding's at the station, and it's depressing
to set off on a long journey feeling that nobody minds your going."

"Mrs. Keith will mind," said Millicent. "I'm sure she was very
friendly and gave you her good wishes."

Blake looked at her with a smile. "Somehow they didn't seem enough. I
think I wanted yours."

She coloured, but met his glance. "Then," she said, "you have them. I
haven't forgotten what happened one evening in London, and I wish you a
safe journey and success."

"Thank you," he answered with feeling. "It will be something to
remember that you have wished me well." Then as his eyes rested upon
her he forgot that he was a marked man. She looked very fresh and
desirable; there was a hint of regret and pity in her face and a trace
of shyness in her manner. "I suppose I can't ask you to think of me
now and then; it would be too much," he went on. "But won't you give
me something of yours, some trifle to keep as a memento."

Millicent hesitated and then took a tiny bunch of flowers from the lace
at the neck of her white dress. "Will these do?" she asked, and added
with a smile: "They won't last very long."

"They will last a long time, well taken care of, but what you said had
a sting. Did you mean that you wouldn't give me anything more
enduring?"

"No," she said shyly, "not that altogether. I think I meant that they
would last as long as yo