every passenger
from Wendover is noticed. And then follow him by the next train, and
come directly from the depot to me, before going to a hotel or showing
yourself at any other place. Will you do that for me?"

"I promise, on my sacred word and honor, that I will, although I have
not the slightest idea why you wish me to do this," said Craven.

"You are a true knight, worthy of any lady's love! Well, thirdly, and
lastly, as the preachers say, I wish you to promise me never to divulge
to a human being anything that has been said between us during this
interview."

"I not only promise, but I solemnly vow, in the sight of Heaven and all
the holy angels, sacredly to observe the silence you require of me,
although I feel more and more deeply mystified by all this."

"You must trust in me, my dear, blindly trust in me for the present, and
in time you shall know why I require these things of you," she said,
very sweetly.

"I trust in you blindly, utterly, eternally!" answered the lover.

"And now, do you know what your reward shall be?"

"Your smile of approval will be my all-sufficient reward!" exclaimed the
young man, earnestly.

"Ah, but you shall hear! When you have done these little favors for me,
and _one more_, which I will tell you about when you come back from
Wendover, then--" she said, pausing and looking at him with a
bewildering smile.

"Then? Yes! Then?" eagerly aspirated the young man, gazing at her in
rapt admiration and expectancy.

"Then I will give you my hand in marriage. I solemnly promise it."

"Oh, you angel--you angel! You have made me so happy!" fervently
breathed the infatuated lover, as he drew her, unresisting, and pressed
her to his heart.

At this point there was heard the sound of light footsteps approaching.

And the moment after, several of the lady boarders opened the door and
entered the room.

Craven Kyte, always shy of strangers, arose to take leave.

As he did so, he seemed suddenly to recollect something.

He put his hand in his breast-pocket and drew forth a little box, which
he handed to Mrs. Grey, saying:

"It is your brooch that you requested me to get from the jeweler."

And then, with a bow, he left her.

Mary Grey went back to her room.

"I shall succeed in ruining them all now!" she said, her dark eyes on
fire with anticipated triumph.

CHAPTER XXV.

A VERY DESPERATE GAME.

I have set my life upon a cast,
And I will stand the hazard of