all and pale, meeting
Levice's eyes.

"I believe--and my wife believes," said Levice, heavily, as if the words
were so many burdens, "that our child will be happy only as your wife,
and that nothing should stand in the way of the consummation of this
happiness. Dr. Kemp, you have assured me you still love my daughter.
Ruth!"

She sprang to her feet, looking only at her father.

"Little one," he faltered, "I have been very cruel in my ignorance."

"Do not think of this, Father," she whispered.

"I must," he said, taking her hand in his. "Kemp, your hand, please."

He grasped the strong white hand and drew the two together; and as
Kemp's large hand closed firmly over her little one, Levice stooped his
head, kissed them thus clasped, and laid his hand upon them.

"There is one thing more," he said. "At the utmost I have but a few days
to live. I shall not see your happiness: I shall not see you, my
Ruth, as I have often pictured you. Ah, well, darling, a father may be
permitted sweet dreams of his only child. You have always been a good
girl, and now I am going to ask you to do one thing more--you also,
Doctor. Will you be married now, this day, here, so that I may yet bless
your new life? Will you let me see this? And listen,--will you let the
world know that you were married with my sanction, and did not have to
wait till the old man was dead? Will you do this for me, my dear ones?"

"Will you, Ruth?" asked Kemp, softly, his fingers pressing hers gently.

Ruth stifled a sob as she met her father's eager eyes.

"I will," she answered so low that only the intense silence in the room
made it audible.

Levice separated their hands and held one on each of his cheeks.

"Always doing things for her ugly old father," he murmured; "this time
giving up a pretty wedding-day that all girls so love."

"Oh, hush, my darling."

"You will have no guests, unless, Doctor, there is some one you would
like to have."

"I think not," he decided, noting with a pang the pale, weary face of
Levice; "we will have it all as quiet as possible. You must rest now,
and leave everything to me. Would you prefer Dr. Stephens or a justice?"

"Either. Dr. Stephens is a good man, whom I know, however; and one good
man with the legal right is as good as another to marry you."

There was little more said then. Kemp turned to Mrs. Levice and raised
her hand to his lips. Arnold confronted him with a pale, smiling face;
the two men wrung each