her.
When the room had grown chill, she lighted her lamp and retired to her
chamber.

"I have never realized it before," she said, as she looked at the sad,
sweet face in the mirror. And that night it was long ere slumber came to
her pillow.

CHAPTER XI.

WAR CLOUDS.

When Liddy reached her desk at the academy the next day she found a note
in a well-known hand that said:

"My father was very ill. I could not call last eve. I hope to next
Sunday."

It was a bitter-sweet message. At times during the week she felt her
face burn at the recollection of how disappointed she had felt the
previous Sunday eve. "I am a fool to care," she would say to herself,
and then when she caught sight of his face and saw the cloud resting
upon it she felt puzzled. She had asked regarding his father's illness
and learned he was better, so the ominous shadow was not from that
source. She felt sure it was not from an impending declaration of love
brewing in his heart, for she knew him well enough to feel that when it
came to that, he would have the manly courage to express his feelings in
his usual outspoken way.

When Sunday evening came again she awaited his coming with a new
anxiety, and when he arrived her heart felt heavy. He greeted her as
though nothing was amiss, and began chatting in an offhand manner, as if
to prevent any question from her. He even joked and told stories, but
with a seeming effort and not in accord with his feelings. Liddy watched
him quietly, feeling sure he was acting a part and for a purpose. The
more he tried to dissemble, the deeper became her dread. At last, when
the chance came, she said in her direct way:

"Charlie, you are not yourself to-night, and I believe you have some
serious trouble on your mind. I wish you would tell me what it is."

He looked at her a moment before replying, and then said:

"Oh, well, perhaps I have; but please don't notice it. I do not like to
talk of my troubles here. You will dislike me if I do."

"I shall feel hurt if you do not," she answered.

"Don't say that!" he replied; and then, after looking into her earnest
face a moment he continued in a lower tone: "You are the last person in
the world I would knowingly hurt."

He remained silent for a long time, looking at the fire in a vacant way,
and then rising suddenly he said:

"There is no use; I can't talk to-night. I am out of sorts. I think I
will go home."

"No, no, Charlie," she replied, trying ha