at
shone through the laughter! It held him like a spell--even though
it was not for him.

He gazed earnestly upon this thing that had been another man's
treasure long before he had even seen her, and as he gazed, he
forgot all beside. By that supreme sacrifice of self, he had wiped
out all but his exceeding love for her. The spirit had triumphed
over the flesh. Love the Immortal to which Death is but a small
thing had lifted him up above the world. . . .

What was it that suddenly pierced him as he leaned there? No sound
above that mighty tumult could possibly have reached him. No
movement beyond that single flickering flame could have caught his
vision. No touch was laid upon him. Yet suddenly he jerked
upright with every nerve a-quiver--and beheld her!

She stood in the doorway, gasping for breath, clinging to the
woodwork for support, with Death behind her, but no fear of Death
in her eyes. They held instead a glory which he had never seen
before.

He stood and gazed upon her, unbelieving, afraid to move. His lips
formed her name. And, as one who springs from tempest into safe
shelter, Sylvia sprang to him. Her arms were all about him before
he knew that she was not a dream.

He clasped her then with such a rush of wonder and joy as nearly
deprived him of the power to think. And in that moment their lips
met in a kiss that was close and sacred, uniting each to each
beyond all severance--a soul communion.

Burke was trembling as she had never known him tremble before.
"Why--have you come back?" he said, as speech returned.

She answered him swiftly and passionately, clinging faster with the
words: "Because--God knows--I would rather die with you--than--than
live without you! I love you so! Oh, don't you understand?"

Yes, he understood, though all else were beyond his comprehension.
Never again would he question that amazing truth that had burst
upon him here at the very Gate of Death, changing the whole world.

He looked down upon her as he held her, the light from the candle
shining through her hair, her vivid face uplifted to his, her eyes
wide and glowing, seeing him alone. No, he needed no words to tell
him that.

And then suddenly the roar without increased a hundredfold. A
shrieking wind tore past, and in a moment the flickering light went
out. They stood in darkness.

Her arms clasped his neck more closely. He felt the coming agony
in her hold. She spoke again, her lips agai