the lounge and looked at him with such despairing eyes that
tears came into his own.

"Alida," he began hesitatingly, "after I left you this noon I felt I
must speak with and be frank with you."

"No, no!!" she cried, with an imploring gesture, "if it must be said,
let me say it. I couldn't endure to hear it from you. Before you went
away I understood it all, and this afternoon the truth has been burned
into my soul. That horrible man has been here--the man I thought my
husband--and he has made it clearer, if possible. I don't blame you
that you shrink from me as if I were a leper. I feel as if I were one."

"I shrink from YOU!" he exclaimed.

"Yes. Can you think I haven't seen the repugnance growing in spite of
yourself? When I thought of that man--especially when he came today--I
understood WHY too well. I cannot stay here any longer. You'd try to
be kind and considerate, but I'd know how you felt all the time. It
would not be safe for you and it would not be right for me to stay,
either, and that settles it. Be--be as kind to me--as you can a few--a
few hours longer, and then let me go quietly." Her self-control gave
way, and burying her face in her hands, she sobbed convulsively.

In a moment he was on his knees beside her, with his arm about her
waist. "Alida, dear Alida!" he cried, "we've both been in the dark
about each other. What I resolved to do, when I started for town, was
to tell you that I had learned to love you and to throw myself on your
mercy. I thought you saw I was loving you and that you couldn't bear
to think of such a thing in an old, homely fellow like me. That was
all that was in my mind, so help me God!"

"But--but HE'S been here," she faltered; "you don't realize--"

"I don't believe I do or can, yet, Alida, dear, but that blessed Jane's
spying trait has served me the best turn in the world. She heard every
brave word you said and I shed tears of joy when she told me; and tears
are slow coming to my eyes. You think I shrink from you, do you?" and
he kissed her hands passionately. "See," he cried, "I kneel to you in
gratitude for all you've been to me and are to me."

"Oh, James! Please rise. It's too much."

"No, not till you promise to go with me to a minister and hear me
promise to love, cherish--yes, in your case I'll promise to obey."

She bowed her head upon his shoulder in answer. Springing up, he
clasped her close and kissed away her tears as he exclaimed, "N