it would be like
getting married all over again.

The next four days seemed longer than any Helen had ever spent in all
her life. The delay was interminable. The minutes appeared to be like
hours, the hours like days. Having to wait patiently for what one
desired so ardently was simply intolerable. She tried to divert her
mind by busying herself about the library, dusting his favorite books,
tidying his papers, but constantly came back the thoughts that filled
her with uneasiness, a vague, undefinable alarm. Was he all right?

At last the great day arrived. A Western Union telegram announced that
the _Adriatic_ would dock at 2 o'clock. Long before that time, Ray,
unable to restrain her impatience, was on her way down town,
accompanied by Mr. Steell, while Helen, her face a little paler than
usual, her heart beating a little faster, sat in the great recessed
window of the library, and waited for the arrival of the loved one.

Anxiously, impatiently, she watched the hands of the clock move round.
How exasperatingly slow it was: how indifferent it seemed to her
happiness! If the ship docked at two they could hardly arrive at the
house until four. It would take at least two hours to get through the
customs. Oh, would the moment never come when she would see his dear
face and clasp him in her arms?

It was nearly half past two when suddenly the front door bell rang.
Her heart leaping to her mouth, she rushed to the top of the stairs.
It was only Mr. Parker, who had dropped in on the chance of finding his
associate already arrived.

To-day the president of the Americo-African Mining Company was in the
highest spirits. Everything had gone according to his expectations.
Kenneth was home with the big diamonds safe in his possession. The
directors could not fail to give him (Parker) credit for his sagacity
and enterprise. The stocks of the company would soar above par.
Fortune was smiling on them in no uncertain way. Was it a wonder he
was feeling in the best of humors?

"How do you know the diamonds are safe?" questioned Helen anxiously.
"In such a terrible panic as there must have been on that ship a man
thinks only of saving himself."

"Pshaw!" replied the president confidently. "I'm as sure of it as that
I'm here. It was understood that he was never to part with the stones
under any circumstances. They are in a belt he wears round his waist
next to his skin. If the diamonds were not here, Kenneth wo