e."

"Don't ask me any more about it to-night," begged the girl in response
to the amazed questioning in her lover's eyes. "I can't speak of it
just yet. It's all too near--too wonderful."

"Just as you like," he agreed. "Now I must go, for I want to catch Mr.
Batholommey before he goes to sleep, and make the arrangements with him
for the wedding."

His arm around her, they crossed to where his hat and coat were hanging.

"I wonder if Oom Peter can see us now?" she mused, as Hartmann stooped
to kiss her good-night.

"That's the great mystery of the ages," answered Hartmann. "Who can
tell? But I wish he might know. I think, seen as he must see things now,
he would be glad. Good-night, sweetheart."

She watched him stride down the walk. Then she came back into the room,
her eyes alight.

"Oh, Oom Peter," she murmured, half aloud.

"I see," returned Peter Grimm. "I know all about it. I know, little
girl. I know."

CHAPTER XXII

"ALL THAT HAPPENS, HAPPENS AGAIN"

Late as was the hour, Kathrien yet lingered a few minutes longer in the
room where that night her freedom and her life's crown had come to her.

She paused by the desk and lovingly caressed the rich, red mass of roses
which, in memory of her uncle, she daily placed there. The cool, velvety
touch of the blossoms was like a living response to her caress. And from
the crimson petals arose a faint, drowsy fragrance.

Kathrien sank into the worn desk chair and gazed dreamily into the dying
fire. She seemed to read there a wonderful story. Or else the grey-red
embers shaped themselves into beautiful pictures. For her face was
joyous beyond all belief.

"To-morrow!" she murmured to herself.

And Peter Grimm, looking down at her, smiled as he caught the whispered
word.

"Yes, _lievling_," he answered. "To-morrow. Isn't it a marvellous word?
It holds all the hopes and fears of the whole world."

"I'm so happy! I'm so _happy_!" she breathed.

The Dead Man laid his hand gently on the soft lustre of her hair.

"Then, good-night to you, my darling," he said in the old tender voice
that had comforted her childish griefs and shared her childish delights
in the bygone days. "Good-night, my darling. Love can never say
'good-bye.' I am going, little girl. I am leaving you here in your dear
home that shall always be yours. Here, in the years that are to come,
the way will lie clear before you. May pleasure and peace go with you,
little girl of mine."