ly since
there was no time for the nice weighing of scruples. Moreover, it was
too late to give poverty-pride a second hearing. So he said:

"I can't let it make a difference now, but I shall always be glad that I
asked you when we both believed you were going to lose it. And I ought
to have guessed about your cousin's marriage, but I didn't--I helped him
find the County Clerk, and wondered why he was so anxious about it. I'm
glad you didn't have to break his heart."

She laughed happily. "There was no question of hearts between us; he
knew it, and I knew it; and when he spoke to me to-night, we settled it
definitely. Are you glad or sorry? about the money, I mean."

"Both, I think; glad for your sake, though."

"I'll go and live in the five-roomed cottage with you, if you like, and
we'll forget all about it."

"I believe you'd do it"--Brockway glanced up, and, seeing the red signal
still displayed, blessed the tardy operator who was doubtless bungling
the train-order--"but I shan't insist." Then with a touch of graver
earnestness: "We are properly engaged now, aren't we?"

"I should hope so"--shyly.

He took a ring from his pocket and slipped it over the finger of the
captive hand.

"It isn't every one who goes prepared," he said, with quiet humor; "it
was a gift from a train-load of Grand Army people I took across last
year; and I've carried it in my pocket ever since because I didn't think
I had any right to wear diamonds. Will you wear it for me?"

"Always."

"Will you wear it to-morrow--before all the others? I'm coming in to
breakfast, you know. Your father asked me."

"I said always."

_Conductor Graffo_, coming out of the telegraph office with a scrap of
tissue paper in his hand: "All abo-o-ard!"

"That parts us again," said Brockway, sorrowfully. "Good-night, dear;
God keep you safe"--the air-brakes sighed sympathetically, and he kissed
her hand and released it--"till to-morrow." His face was at the window,
and two soft arms came out of the square of darkness and went about his
neck, and two lips that he could not see brushed his cheek.

"Till to-morrow," she repeated; and then the train began to move and she
let him go quickly that he might run no risk of stumbling.

The engine groaned and strained, filling the air with a jarring as of
nearby thunder; the steam hissed from the cylinders, and the great
driving-wheels began once more to measure the rails. Brockway swung
lightly up to the step