nnoyed
because I could not put this anxiety, this apprehension, out of my mind.
"She is not ill. She is better. Only last night I heard her laughing as
she has not done for weeks."

The afternoon was crowded with meetings, and it was three o'clock the
next day when I reached home and asked eagerly for Sally as I went up
the staircase. She had gone out, her maid informed me, but I would find
a note she had left on my desk in the library. Turning hastily back, I
took up the note from the silver blotter beneath which it was lying, and
as I opened it, I saw that the address looked tremulous and uncertain,
as if it had been written in haste or excitement.

"Dear Ben (it read), I have been in trouble, and as I do not wish
to disturb you at this time, I am going away for a few days to
think it over. I shall be at Riverview, the old place on James
River where mamma and I used to stay--but go ahead with the South
Midland, and don't worry about me, it is all right.

"SALLY."

"I have been in trouble," I repeated slowly. "What trouble, and why
should she keep it from me? Oh, because of the presidency of the South
Midland! Damn the South Midland!" I said suddenly aloud. A time-table
was on my desk, and looking into it, I found that a train left for
Riverview in half an hour. I rang the bell and old Esdras appeared to
announce luncheon.

"I want nothing to eat. Bring me a cup of coffee. I must catch a train
in a few minutes."

"Fur de Lawd's sake, Marse Ben," exclaimed the old negro, "you ain'
never gwineter res' at home agin."

Still grumbling he brought the coffee, and I was standing by the desk
with the cup raised to my lips, when the front door opened and shut
sharply, and the General came into the room, leaning upon two
gold-headed walking-sticks. He looked old and tired, and more than ever,
in his fur-lined overcoat, like a wounded eagle.

"Ben," he said, "what's this Hatty tells me about George taking Sally
out motoring with him yesterday, and not bringing her back? Has there
been an accident?"

My arteries drummed in my ears, and for a minute the noise shut out all
other sounds. Then I heard a carriage roll by in the street, and the
faint regular ticking of the small clock on the mantel.

"Sally is at Riverview," I answered, "I am going down to her on the next
train."

"Then where in the devil is George? He went off with her."

"George may be there, too. I hope he is. She needs s