rs. Stewart kindly excuse this seeming intrusion of a
stranger? but I understand that Miss Allandale is with you,
and it is necessary that I have a few moments' conversation
with her.

R. B."

"Show the gentleman up," the lady quietly remarked to the servant,
then stepped back into the room and passed the card to Edith.

The young girl's eyes lighted with sudden joy, and the quick color
flushed her cheeks, betraying how even the sight of Roy's name and
handwriting had power to move her.

A few moments later there came another tap to tell her that her dear
one was awaiting admittance, and she herself went to receive him.

"Roy! I am so glad you have come!" she exclaimed, holding out both
hands to him, her face radiant with happiness.

CHAPTER XXXVII.

"MY DARLING, YOU ARE FREE!"

The young man regarded her with astonishment, for she had never
greeted him so warmly before.

Edith saw his look and met it with a blush. She took his hat, then led
him directly to Mrs. Stewart.

"Roy, you will be astonished," she remarked, "but my first duty is to
introduce you to--my mother."

With a look of blank amazement, the young man mechanically put out his
hand to greet the beautiful woman who approached and graciously
welcomed him.

"That was rather an abrupt and startling announcement, Mr. Bryant,"
she smilingly remarked, to cover his confusion; "but pray be seated
and we will soon explain the mysterious situation."

"Pardon my bewilderment," said the young man, as he bowed over her
extended hand; "but really, ladies, I am free to confess that you have
almost taken my breath away."

"Then you will know how to sympathize with us," cried Edith, with a
silvery little laugh, "for we have both been in the same condition
during the last few hours."

"Indeed! Then I must say you look very bright for a person who has not
breathed for 'hours,'" he retorted, as he began to recover himself.

"Well, figuratively speaking, our respiration has been retarded many
times, during a short interval, by the strangest developments
imaginable," Edith explained. "But how did you trace me to the
Waldorf?"

"I had something important to tell you, so ran up to Nellie's to see
you, but was told that you had accompanied Mrs. Stewart thither," Roy
explained. "I hope, however, I shall be pardoned for interrupting your
interview," he concluded with an apologetic