e. True, her
gratitude and affection for him were unaltered. They showed in every
word and look, and once the thought came to him that he might yet win
the castle of Desire, if he should only determine to enter the lists
against Philip. The primal man in him cried out against, and might have
overcome, his better nature, which whispered that this would be
treachery to a friend who had played fair, and was worthy, if there had
not always been before his mind the consideration that the fight would
be hopeless. Rose was not for him; she loved another.

And the girl? She cheered him with her smile, and loved him for the
dangers he had passed as he, in the hope of in that subject finding a
vent for his emotions, told her of the work he had been doing. But in
her heart she was deeply disturbed. The tired, drawn look on his strong
face would pass away, she felt; but the sight of the expression of pain
in his eyes gave her thoughts pause. Had Marion Treville's faithlessness
struck so deep? At the memory of her interview with the woman, Smiles'
own eyes changed, and lost their quiet tenderness.

* * * * *

Morning had come, and the sunlight danced like a myriad host of tiny
sprites, clad in cloth of gold over the broad blue bosom of the Atlantic
and into the windows of little Muriel's cheerful bedroom. The door
opened softly, and Rose, in trim uniform and cap, with its three black
bands, slipped into the room, silently motioning the man in the hall
outside to keep back out of sight. The child, thin and pale on her snowy
bed, turned her head listlessly and looked at the intruder.

Suddenly the suggestion of a smile touched her colorless lips, and
lighted her unnaturally heavy eyes. She sat up with a glad cry of
surprise and welcome, "Why, it's my own Smiles! Wherever did you come
from; are you going to make us a visit? Oh, I'm so glad."

"Yes, darling. I got so tired and grumpy up in the hot city that I just
had to come down here to be cheered up. Will you help do it?"

"'Course I will. Why, just _seeing_ you makes me want to cheer." She
quickly swung her slender legs over the bedside. "Oh, now if dear Uncle
Don were only safe home again it would be perfect. I've worried and
worried about his getting hit by a bomb or being blown up by a
submarine. I wish ..."

"And, presto! your wish is granted," laughed Donald, as he ran into the
room and caught his small niece up in an old-time bear hug.