rs alone, will forever
be enshrined in my heart.

"Good-bye again, dear Hubert, I bless you from the bottom of my
heart for the love you have offered me and the honor you have paid
me in asking me to be your wife. Think kindly of me some time.

"Yours, with a breaking heart,
"Jessie Bain."

When next the nurse made her rounds, to her great amazement she found
the girl, weak as she was, already dressed, and putting on her hat.
Nurses and doctors were unable to change her determination to leave.

"What of the young gentleman from whom you had the letter?" asked
Jessie's nurse.

"The letter that I have written is to him," she said, in a very husky
voice. "He will understand. I will leave it in your care to send to him,
if you will be so kind."

The nurse took charge of the letter.

"I do not wish you to mail it until to-night," said Jessie, eagerly,
"for I-- I will not be able to leave ere that time. You have been so
kind to me," she added, "Oh, believe me that I do not know how to thank
you for all you have done!"

"A little more strength would not have come amiss to you," one of the
doctors said gravely. "One thing, however, I insist upon--rest until
late in the afternoon, and then leave us if you really must."

With a little sigh Jessie took off her hat again.

Remaining there a few hours longer would not matter much, she told
herself; Hubert Varrick would not receive her letter until the following
morning. She could leave that night, and be so far away by day-break
that he could never find her. But what strange freaks Fate plays upon us
to carry out its designs.

When the nurse left Jessie Bain, she took the all-important letter with
her, and quite forgetful of the promise which she had made the girl, not
to send the letter out until night, she proceeded to stamp it as she saw
the letter-carrier stop at the door to take up the mail.

It would be very nice to send it by special delivery, she thought. He
will receive it all the sooner; and hastily adding the additional stamp
required, she handed it to the postman.

An hour later it was on its way, and a little past noon Jessie's letter
reached its destination and was promptly delivered.

Hubert had been summoned to his mother's home from the hotel where he
had been stopping. She had been seized with a serious illness, and had
hastily sent for him to come to her at once. He had responded with
alacrity to his mother's telegram. He