ogether in the
quiet Devonshire lane, while the shadows of evening gathered.

* * * * *

I did not go into the house on my return. Instead I sat on the lawn
and awaited them. Darker and darker the night shadows fell, while the
sky became star-spangled. Away, two hundred miles distant, the guns
were booming, but here was peace.

The mystery, the wonder of it all came to me as I sat thinking. On the
long battle line the armies of Empires were engaged in a deadly
struggle, while close by a man was telling a girl that he loved her,
while she would be foolishly trying to explain what required no
explanation.

The moon was rising as they came back. The first beams were shining
through the trees as I saw them approach.

'Well, Lorna?' I said as they came close to where I was.

She looked at me shyly, and then lifted her eyes to Jack's. In the
pale moonlight I saw the look of infinite happiness on her face.

'May I, Jack?' I said. 'This morning you called me your brother, and
as Lorna is to be my sister, may I claim a brother's privilege?'

For answer, she threw her arms around my neck and kissed me.

'I say,' cried Jack with a happy laugh, 'you are coming it a bit thick,
aren't you? I didn't get one as easily as that.'

'Of course not--you didn't deserve to. But where are you off to?

'I'm going to beard the lion in his den. I'm going to have a serious
talk with Sir Thomas. Will you look after Lorna till I return?'

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