e most astonishing news. John is--he
has--Why, you'd never guess!"

Gertrude, who was sitting in the rocking chair by the window, showed her
first sign of interest. At the mention of the name she turned quickly.

"What?" she cried, in a startled voice. "What? Is it--is it bad news? He
isn't--isn't--"

"No, no! No, no! He's all right. Don't look like that, you scare me.
John's all right; that is, I suppose he is. But he--Here! read it
yourself."

Gertrude took the paper upon which he had written the message. She
read the latter through; read it and reread it. Then she turned to her
father.

"But I can't understand," she faltered. "I can't--I can't understand. He
didn't send this himself. He has gone to San Francisco; but--but this is
signed by someone else. What does it mean?"

Daniel was frightened. It was time to explain, and yet, considering his
daughter's look and manner, he was afraid to explain.

"You see," he stammered, "well, you see, Gertie, that's an answer, that
is. John didn't send it, he'd gone. But, I presume likely they thought
my telegram ought to be answered, so--"

Gertrude interrupted. "Your telegram?" she repeated. "YOUR telegram?
What telegram?"

"Why, the telegram I sent to John. I knew you hadn't heard from him, and
I thought probably--"

"Wait--wait a minute. Did YOU send a telegram to--to him?"

"Yes; sure I did. I--"

"What did you say?"

"I said--why, I said that you--we, I mean--was wonderin' about him
and--and missin' him and when was he comin' back here. That's about what
I said. I wrote it in a hurry and I don't remember exactly. That's about
it, anyhow. Why, what's the matter?"

Gertrude had risen.

"You said that!" she cried. "You--without a word to me--said--you begged
him to come back! Begged him! on your knees! to--to--"

"No, no! I never got on my knees. What would I do a fool thing like that
for, when I was sendin' a telegram? I just asked--"

"You just asked! You said that I--_I_--And this was your answer! THIS!"

She dashed the message to the floor, covered her face with her hands
and threw herself upon the bed. Daniel, aghast and alarmed, would have
raised her but she pushed him away.

"Oh!" she cried. "The shame of it! Don't touch me! Please don't touch
me!"

"But, Gertie--what on earth?"

"Don't touch me. Please don't touch me. Just go away, Daddy. Go and
leave me. I mustn't talk to you now. If I do, I shall say--Please go. I
want to be alone."

Da