l me
that you love me," he pleaded. "If you do, then you will forgive
everything. Surely your love must respond to mine."

To these passionate words Nell made no reply. She was too greatly
overcome to utter a word so sudden and overwhelming had been the change
during the last few minutes. Her form trembled from the vehemence of
her emotion, and then the tears, which for so long had been restrained,
came to her relief, and, sinking upon the ground, she buried her face
in her hands and sobbed like a child.

"Nell! Nell!" Douglas cried, dropping by her side, and placing his
arms tenderly around her. "What have I done? Have I offended you?
Oh, tell me; tell me quick. I didn't mean to make you feel badly.
Forgive me; please forgive me!"

"I am only foolish, that is all," was the sobbing reply, as Nell lifted
her head and endeavoured to brush away the tears. "I didn't mean to
give way like this. But I am weak, and all this is so unexpected."

"And you forgive me? You are not offended?"

In reply, Nell threw her arms impetuously about his neck, and laid her
face close to his.

"There is my answer," she whispered. "Are you satisfied now?"

Never had the old pine witnessed such a scene of perfect bliss as that
which then took place at its foot. It gave no sign, however, that it
saw anything, but kept its secret well. It was in league with the
happy lovers, and never babbled its knowledge.

"It was here where I first saw you, Nell," Douglas told her, as they
nestled close to each other upon the sand. "How well I remember that
night, and how entranced I was with your playing."

"Don't speak of that time any more," Nell pleaded. "It seems now like
a terrible dream. Oh, how that man followed me, and tried to get me in
his power."

"But Ben is gone now, darling, and can trouble you no more. It is not
likely that he will ever come back to this place. He has been taught a
severe lesson, and I trust it will do him good."

"Oh, I hope so," and a tremor shook Nell's body. "I want to forget him
and those awful days that are past."

"And you must forget, Nell, in the joy of the present. Oh, I can
hardly believe it is true that you love me. I was almost frightened
out of my wits lest you should refuse me."

"You acted like it, didn't you?" Nell bantered, turning her happy face
to his. "Why, you swept down upon me like a cyclone, and had me in
your arms before I could utter a word of protest."

"I was