by steam in place of horses.

"There's a good deal in it, I believe," said the younger man. "His theory
is all right if he can get some one to help him carry it out."

"Well, maybe, maybe," said the Squire shaking his head dubiously, "but it
seems to me a very fanciful scheme. Horses are good enough for me. I
shouldn't like to trust myself to an unknown quantity like steam, but time
will tell."

"Yes, and the world is progressing. Something of the sort is sure to come.
It has come in England. It would make a vast change in our country,
binding city to city and practically eradicating space."

"Visionary schemes, David, visionary schemes, that's what I call them. You
and I'll never see them in our day, I'm sure of that. Remember this is a
new country and must go slow." The Squire was half laughing, half in
earnest.

Amid the talk Marcia had quietly slipped out. It had occurred to her that
perhaps the captain might return with her sister.

She must watch for Kate and warn her. Like a shadow in the moonlight she
stepped softly down the gravel path once more and waited at the gate. Did
not that sacred kiss placed upon her lips all by mistake bind her to this
solemn duty? Had it not been given to her to see as in a revelation, by
that kiss, the love of one man for one woman, deep and tender and true?

In the fragrant darkness her soul stood still and wondered over Love, the
marvellous. With an insight such as few have who have not tasted years of
wedded joy, Marcia comprehended the possibility and joy of sacrifice that
made even sad things bright because of Love. She saw like a flash how Kate
could give up her gay life, her home, her friends, everything that life
had heretofore held dear for her, that she might be by the side of the man
who loved her so. But with this knowledge of David's love for Kate came a
troubled doubt. Did Kate love David that way? If Kate had been the one who
received that kiss would she have returned it with the same tenderness and
warmth with which it was given? Marcia dared not try to answer this. It
was Kate's question, not hers, and she must never let it enter her mind
again. Of course she must love him that way or she would never marry him.

The night crept slowly for the anxious little watcher at the gate. Had she
been sure where to look for her sister, and not afraid of the tongues of a
few interested neighbors who had watched everything at the house for days
that no item about the we