eceding this tragedy, some one--" he had not said this but
every mind had supplied the omission,--"some one who had come in later,
who came in after Carmel had gone, some one who knew nothing of the
telephone message which was even then hastening the police to the spot;
some one who had every reason for lifting those cushions and, on meeting
_life_--"

The horror stifled me; I was reeling in my place on the edge of the
crowd, when I heard a quiet voice in my ear:

"Steady! Their eyes will soon be off of Arthur, and then they will
look at you."

It was Clifton, and his word came none too soon. I stiffened under its
quiet force, and, taking his arm, let him lead me out of a side door,
where the crowd was smaller and its attention even more absorbed.

I soon saw its cause--Carmel was entering the doorway from the street.
She had come to greet her brother; and her face, quite unveiled, was
beaming with beauty and joy. In an instant I forgot myself, forgot
everything but her and the effect she produced upon those about her. No
noisy demonstration here; admiration and love were shown in looks and the
low-breathed prayer for her welfare which escaped from more than one pair
of lips. She smiled and their hearts were hers; she essayed to move
forward and the people crowded back as if at a queen's passage; but there
was no noise.

When she reappeared, it was on Arthur's arm. I had not been able to move
from the place in which we were hemmed; nor had I wished to. I was hungry
for a glance of her eye. Would it turn my way, and, if it did, would it
leave a curse or a blessing behind it? In anxiety for the blessing, I was
willing to risk the curse; and I followed her every step with hungry
glances, until she reached the doorway and turned to give another shake
of the hand to Mr. Moffat, who had followed them. But she did not see me.

"I cannot miss it! I must catch her eye!" I whispered to Clifton. "Get me
out of this; it will be several minutes before they can reach the sleigh.
Let me see her, for one instant, face to face."

Clifton disapproved, and made me aware of it; but he did my bidding,
nevertheless. In a few moments we were on the sidewalk, and quite by
ourselves; so that, if she turned again she could not fail to observe me.
I had small hope, however, that she would so turn. She and Arthur were
within a few feet of the curb and their own sleigh.

I had just time to see this sleigh, and note the rejoicing face of Zad