t hand to touch Ruth, and the amethyst ring slipped
off, for her fingers were thin. She did not seem to notice when Ruth
slipped it on again, and, shortly afterward, fell asleep.

That night Winfield stayed very late. "I don't want to leave you, dear,"
he said to Ruth. "I'm afraid something is going to happen."

"I'm not afraid--I think you'd better go."

"Will you put a light in your window if you want me, darling?" "Yes, I
will."

"I can see it from my room, and I'll be watching for it. If you want me,
I'll come."

He awoke from an uneasy sleep with the feeling that Ruth needed him, and
was not surprised to see the light from her candle streaming out into
the darkness. He dressed hurriedly, glancing at his watch by the light
of a match. It was just three o'clock.

Ruth was waiting for him at the lower door. "Is she--is she--"

"No, she seems to be just the same, but she wants you. She's been
calling for you ever since you went away."

As they went upstairs Miss Ainslie's sweet voice came to them in pitiful
pleading: "Carl, Carl, dear! Where are you? I want you!"

"I'm here, Miss Ainslie," he said, sitting down on the bed beside her
and taking her hot hands in his. "What can I do for you?"

"Tell me about the rug."

With no hint of weariness in his deep, quiet voice, he told her the old
story once more. When he had finished, she spoke again. "I can't seem to
get it just right about the Japanese lovers. Were they married?"

"Yes, they were married and lived happily ever afterward--like the
people in the fairy tales."

"That was lovely," she said, with evident satisfaction. "Do you think
they wanted me to have their vase?"

"I know they did. Some one who loved you brought it to you. Everybody
loves you, Miss Ainslie."

"Did the Marquise find her lover?"

"Yes, or rather, he found her."

"Did they want me to have their marquetry table?"

"Of course they did. Didn't some one who loved you bring it to you?"

"Yes," she sighed, "some one who loved me."

She sang a little, very softly, with her eyes closed. It was a quaint
old-fashioned tune, with a refrain of "Hush-a-by" and he held her hand
until the song ceased and she was asleep. Then he went over to Ruth.
"Can't you go to sleep for a little while, dearest? I know you're
tired."

"I'm never tired when I'm with you," Ruth answered, leaning upon his
arm, "and besides, I feel that this is the end."

Miss Ainslie slept for some time, then, all at o