I suppose it is time. The train starts at ten-forty-five. Have
you got some lunch for Mr. Vernon, Dick?"

She had packed a neat little packet of sandwiches with her own hands,
but put the question casually, as if she hoped that somebody had
considered their departing guest's comfort.

The girl's bright cheerfulness got on Drake's nerves. His farewell to
Mrs. Lorton lacked grace and finish, and he could only hold out his hand
to Nell, and say, rather grimly and curtly:

"Good-by, Miss Nell."

Just that; no more.

Her hand rested in his for a moment. Did it tremble, or was it only
fancy on his part? She said, "Good-by, and I hope you will have a
pleasant journey," quite calmly.

Dick burst in with:

"Now, Mr. Vernon, if you've kissed everybody, we'd better be starting,"
and Drake got into the trap.

Mrs. Lorton looked after the departing guest, and waved her hand with an
expression of languid sorrow; then turned to Nell with a sigh.

"I might have known that he would go; but still I must say that it is a
disappointment--a great disappointment. These trials are sent for our
good, and----I do wish you would not keep up that perpetual humming,
Eleanor. On an occasion like this it is especially trying. And how pale
you look!" she added, staring unsympathetically.

"I've--I've rather a headache," said Nell, turning toward the door. "I
suppose it was hurrying up to the farm. It is very hot this morning.
I'll go and take off my hat."

She went upstairs slowly, slipped the bolt in her bedroom door, and,
taking off her hat, stood looking beyond the glass for a moment or two;
then she absently drew an old and somewhat battered pencil case from her
pocket. She gazed at it thoughtfully, until suddenly she could not see
it for the tears that gathered in her eyes, and presently she began to
tremble. She slipped to her knees besides the bed, and buried her
forehead in the hands clasped over Drake's "token of remembrance and
gratitude."

And as she struggled with the sobs that shook her, she still trembled;
for there was something in the feeling of utter, overwhelming desolation
which frightened her--something she could neither understand nor resist,
though she had been fighting against it all through the long and weary
night.

Oh, the shame of it! That she should cry because Mr. Drake Vernon had
left Shorne Mills! The shame of it!

CHAPTER X.

All the way up to town Drake felt very depressed. It is strange th