ind did not conjure up a beckoning hand
behind it, and that I knew that some day I should see my mother's face
behind the hand. I have seen the face. It was imagination,
perhaps--in fact, I know it must have been--but it was mother's
face--and I am coming home."

The last words were spoken softly, reverently, and together the priest
and the penitent entered the church.

CHAPTER XXII

RUTH'S CONFESSION

Late that afternoon Mark sat alone in the great library at Killimaga,
his head thrown back, his hands grasping the top of his chair. His
thoughts were of the future, and he did not hear the light footsteps
behind him. Then--two soft arms stole lightly around his neck, and
Ruth's beautiful head was bowed until her lips touched his forehead.
It was a kiss of benediction, speaking of things too holy for words.

He covered her hands with his own. "Ruth." The tones breathed a world
of love.

"I am so happy," she murmured.

He started to rise, but one small hand, escaping from his grasp, rested
on his head and held him firmly.

"I have a great deal to tell you, Mark. But first I want you to know
how happy I am that you have come back to Mother Church. I have been
praying so hard, Mark, and I should have been miserable had you refused
to return. Our union would never have been perfect without full
harmony of thought, and we might have drifted apart. But I am happy
now." Lightly her fingers stroked his brow and twined among his curls.

He arose and, clasping her hands in both his own, he gazed down into
her eyes.

"And I too am happy, dear one. You have brought me two blessings: I
have found not only love, but peace at last after many years."
Tenderly he raised her hands to his lips. "But come, dear; it is too
glorious a day to remain in the house. Shall we go outside?"

It was but a moment till she returned ready for a walk, and together
they sauntered toward the bluff, where she seated herself on a great
rock. Sitting at her feet, his head resting against the rock, his hand
raised to clasp hers, he was content. For a while they sat in silence,
gazing far out over the sea into the glory of the sunset. At last she
loosed her hand from his grasp and rested it lightly on his head.

"Mark, dear, you know that there are to be no secrets between us two
now, don't you?"

He looked up and answered promptly. "Not one--not a single one, for
all the days of the future, my darling. But," he added, "