e was a woman of individuality and
power, overshadowed at present by the deepest melancholy. As she rose
and faced us I decided instantly that her husband had not exaggerated
her state of mind. Emotion of no ordinary nature disturbed the lines of
her countenance and robbed her naturally fine figure of a goodly portion
of its dignity and grace; and though she immediately controlled herself
and assumed the imposing aspect of a highly trained woman, ready, if
not eager, to welcome an intruding guest, I could not easily forget
the drawn look about mouth and eyes which, in the first instant of our
meeting, had distorted features naturally harmonious and beautifully
serene.

I am sure her husband had observed it also, for his voice trembled
slightly as he addressed her.

"I have brought you a companion, Olympia, one whose business and
pleasure it will be to remain with you while I am making speeches a
hundred miles away. Do you not see reason for thanking me?" This last
question he pointed with a glance in my direction, which drew her
attention and caused her to give me a kindly look.

I met her eyes fairly. They were large and gray and meant for smiling;
eyes that, with a happy heart behind them, would illumine her own beauty
and create joy in those upon whom they fell. But to-day, nothing but
question lived in their dark and uneasy depths, and it was for me to
face that question and give no sign of what the moment was to me.

"I think--I am sure, that my thanks are due you," she courteously
replied, with a quick turn toward her husband, expressive of confidence,
and, as I thought, of love. "I dreaded being left alone."

He drew a deep breath of relief; we both did; then we talked a little,
after which Mayor Packard found some excuse for taking me from the room.

"Now for the few words you requested," said he; and, preceding me down
the hall, he led me into what he called his study.

I noted one thing, and only one thing, on entering this place. That
was the presence of a young man who sat at a distant table reading and
making notes. But as Mayor Packard took no notice of him, knowing and
expecting him to be there, no doubt, I, with a pardonable confusion,
withdrew my eyes from the handsomest face I had ever seen, and, noting
that my employer had stopped before a type-writer's table, I took my
place at his side, without knowing very well what this move meant or
what he expected me to do there.

I was not long left i