d his identity by an inclination of the head.

"The governor will be most happy to see you at any time after three
o'clock. May I tell him you will call then?" asked the secretary, and he
glanced, not without sympathy and understanding, at Elizabeth.

"We will return at three," the general said.

"He regrets his inability to see you now," murmured the secretary, and
again he permitted his glance to dwell on the girl's pale beauty.

He bowed them from the room and from the house. When the door closed on
them, Elizabeth turned swiftly to her father.

"He is cruel, heartless, to keep us in suspense. A word, a moment--might
have meant so much to us--" she sobbed.

A spasm of pain contracted her father's rugged features.

"He will see us; he is a busy man with unceasing demands on his time,
but we have this appointment. Be brave, dear, just a little longer!" he
said tenderly.

"I'll try to be, but there is only to-day--and to-morrow--" she
faltered.

"Hush, you must not think of that!"

"I can think of nothing else!"

How they lived through the long hours the general never knew, but at
last three o'clock came and they were again at the governor's door. It
was opened by the servant who had admitted them earlier in the day.

"We have an appointment with the governor," said General Herbert
briefly, pushing past him.

"Yes, sir; I will tell him you are here as soon as he comes in," said
the man.

"He's out, then?" and General Herbert wheeled on the man.

"Yes, but he's expected back any moment, sir."

"It will be all right," her father again assured Elizabeth, speaking
with forced cheerfulness when they were alone.

Ten--twenty minutes slipped by; minutes that were infinitely precious,
then a step sounded in the hall. It was the servant who entered the
room, however. He came to say that a message had that moment been
received from the governor; he was detained at the capitol, and probably
would not reach home before five o'clock.

"Does he say he will see us there?" asked the general.

"He didn't mention you, sir; perhaps he has forgotten, but I thought
you'd wish to know."

"Thank you." The general turned to his daughter. "I think we'd better go
to the capitol."

The carriage was still at the door and they hurried out to it and were
whirled across town. As they came to a stand before the capitol, General
Herbert, without waiting for Elizabeth, sprang out and strode into the
building and up the familia