hn Brooks's heart. I know him
well enough to believe he would never forgive you. On the other hand,
when you feel well enough to depart, you can simply say you are going
away with your husband. No one will think of detaining you; you will
be free as the wind to go where you will. It will cost you but a few
words. Remember, there are occasions when it is necessary to
prevaricate in order to prevent greater evils--this is one of them."

Daisy could not dispute this specious logic, and she suffered herself
to be persuaded against her will and better judgment. She was
dreadfully homesick, poor little soul! and to go back to Allendale, to
Rex, was the one wish of her heart. But would he clasp her in his arms
if a shadow of disgrace blotted her fair name? She would go back to
him and kneel at his feet, and tell him why she had left Mme.
Whitney's. She certainly meant to tell him of all that followed, and,
with her little, warm cheek pressed close to his, ask him if she had
done right.

At that moment the door of an adjoining room opened, and Lester
observed the three ladies standing in a row in the door-way. He knew
that three pairs of eyes were regarding him intently through as many
pairs of blue glasses.

"Good-bye, my little wife," he said, raising his voice for their
benefit; "I'm off now. I shall see you again to-morrow;" and, before
Daisy had the least idea of his intentions, he had pressed a kiss upon
her rosy lips and was gone.

The three ladies quickly advanced to the couch upon which Daisy
reclined.

"We are very glad to find you are so much better this morning," they
exclaimed, all in a breath. "Your husband has been almost demented
about you, my dear."

They wondered why the white face on the pillow turned so pink, then
faded to a dead white, and why the tear-drops started to her beautiful
blue eyes.

"I was telling my sisters," pursued one of the ladies, softly, "you
were so young to be married--hardly more than a child. How old are
you, my dear--not more than sixteen, I suppose?"

"Sixteen and a few months," answered Daisy.

"How long have you been married, my dear?" questioned another of the
sisters.

A great sob rose in Daisy's throat as she remembered it was just a
week that very day since she had stood in the dim old parlor at the
rectory, while Rex clasped her hands, his handsome, smiling eyes
gazing so lovingly down upon her, while the old minister spoke the
words that bound them for life to