y interested in it."

Mr. Cutler colored slightly as she spoke of the romance of the
experience, for he was still quite sensitive over the cruel deception
that had been practiced upon him, although he had never confessed to any
one how deeply and tenderly interested he had become in the captivating
widow who had so successfully duped him.

When the steamer arrived in New York, almost the first person Mona saw
was Ray, who stood upon the pier searching with anxious eyes among the
passengers for the face of his dear one.

A cry of glad surprise broke from her, and, snatching her handkerchief
from her pocket, she shook it vigorously to attract his attention, her
lovely face all aglow with joy at his unexpected appearance.

He caught sight of the fluttering signal almost immediately, and his
heart leaped within him as he looked into her beaming countenance. Truth
and love and purity were stamped on every expressive feature.

He sprang across the gang-plank, and in less time than it takes to tell
it he was beside her, while oblivious, in his great thankfulness for her
safety, to the fact that others were observing them, he caught her close
to him in a quick embrace.

"My darling!" he whispered. "Oh, you can never know how thankful I am to
have you safe in my arms once more! What an escape you have had!"

"Why, Ray! how did you know?--who told you?" Mona exclaimed, astonished,
as, with a blushing face, she gently freed herself from his embrace,
although she still clung almost convulsively to his hand.

"I will tell you all about it later," he returned, in a low tone, and now
recalled to the proprieties of life. "I can only say that I learned of
the plot against you, and have been nearly distracted about you."

"Ah, Mrs. Montague told you that I had eloped with her nephew," the young
girl said, and now losing some of her bright color, "but," lifting her
clear, questioning eyes to her lover's face, "you did not believe it;
you had faith in me?"

"All faith," he returned, his fingers closing more firmly over the small
hand he held.

She thanked him with a radiant smile.

"But how did you know I would come home on this steamer?" she persisted,
eager to know how he happened to be there to meet her.

"I cabled the American Consul to search for you, and render you
assistance. He replied, telling me that you had already sailed for
New York," Ray explained.

"That was thoughtful of you, dear," Mona said, giving him a g