e gate was standing before her with
outstretched hand. A great light was in his face. "Do you remember?" he
asked, and Evadne's eyes glowed deep with pleasure, as she laid her hand
in his. They would never be properly introduced, these two, "'Life is a
beautiful possibility,'" she said, "I am proving it so every day,--but,
oh, the awful suffering in the world! I cannot understand,--"

And John Randolph answered with his strong, sweet faith. "God
understands, _we_ do not need to."

They were standing in an alcove partially screened by a tall palm from
the crowd which surged up and down through the rooms. He took from his
pocket a morocco case, and, opening it, held it towards her. What made
the color flush her cheeks while her eyes fell beneath his gaze? She
only saw a little square of lawn and lace, but the name traced across
one corner was 'Evadne'!

"Did you leave nothing behind you at Hollywood that day?" he asked
gently.

"My handkerchief!" she cried. "I missed it before we reached
Marlborough. I must have left it at the gate." But Evadne had left more
behind her than she knew.

"I will keep it still," he said, "with your permission. Will you give it
to me?"

"Oh, Doctor Randolph!" Isabelle's voice fell shrill upon Evadne's
silence, "they are calling for you in the other room to decide a knotty
question--something about microbes. I told them I was sure you would
know. Will you come?"

John Randolph put the case quickly in his pocket and smiled as he turned
away. He thought he had read consent in her lovely eyes.

After the reception was over Evadne knelt by her window until the stars
faded one by one from the sky. Then she turned away with a happy sigh.
When he came to get his answer, she would know.

* * * * *

"Give that to me!" Isabella spoke imperiously to the servant, who was
passing through the hall with a note in her hand. From where she stood
she had recognized the clear handwriting of the prescriptions which the
new doctor wrote. Her demon of curiosity overcame her. The tempter was
very near.

The girl held the note towards her. "It is for Miss Evadne," she said.
"Miss E. Hildreth, you see."

Isabelle gave a careless laugh. "Did you not know I had an E in my name
also? Evelyn Isabelle. I know the writing. The note is meant for me."

So the truth and the lie mingled!
When John Randolph called that evening he was ushered into the presence
of Isabelle.

"I am