fe, and I gave this possible danger scarcely a thought. Indeed it
did not seem a danger. While it is true he was husband in name only,
yet I was wife forever. That is my religion. Now the conditions are
all changed, instantly changed by his death."

"You believe then he is dead?"

"I am as sure of it as though I had seen his body. I feel it to be
true." There was an instant of hesitation, while I waited
breathlessly. "Do you understand now why because of the fact we can no
longer remain friends?"

"Yes," I burst forth, "because you know how I have grown to feel toward
you; you--you resent--"

"Have I said so?"

"No, not in words; that was not necessary, but I understand."

"Do you, indeed?"

I stared toward her, puzzled, bewildered, yet conscious that the hot
blood was surging through my veins.

"You cannot mean the other?" I questioned, the swift words tripping
over themselves in sudden eagerness. "That--that you love me?"

"And why not? Am I so different from other women?"

I held the tiller still with one hand, but the other arm was free, and
I reached out, and drew her toward me. There was no resistance, no
effort to break away. I could see her face uplifted, the wide-open
eyes.

"Different! Yes; so vastly different, that I misunderstood everything.
But now I know, and--and sweetheart, I love you, I love you."

It could not have been long, not to exceed a moment or two, when a
sudden leaping of the boat brought us back to a realization of our
position. As soon as I had regained control of the craft, I reached
out again and touched her hand.

"This is all so strange, so unexpected, I can scarcely comprehend what
has occurred."

"Strange, yes, in the way it has happened," she coincided. "But we
cannot afford to dwell upon that now. We are in peril. Do you really
know where we are? for what you are steering?"

"It is largely a guess; there is nothing to give me guidance, except as
I unscrew the face of this compass and feel the needle."

"Then we may still be within view from the deck of the _Sea Gull_ at
daybreak?"

"Yes; that will depend entirely upon luck."

She turned away, and sat quiet, staring forward intently into the black
void.

"What time is it now?"

"Nearly three."

"In two hours it will be dawn."

"Yes."

I thought I could see her clasp her hands together; then suddenly lean
forward.

"Why, look there!" she exclaimed quickly. "See! to the right.
Merciful