rup drew a cushioned chair close beside her daughter, and drew
the dark, curly head into her arms.

"You must make a confidante of me, my darling, and tell me all he said,"
she declared. "I was quite amazed to hear the servants say that he had
gone so early. I expected to be summoned every moment, to learn that
your impatient lover had sent out for a minister to perform the delayed
ceremony."

Gerelda raised her tear-stained face and looked at her mother.

"No; he did not even mention marriage, mother," she sobbed.

"What!" shrieked Mrs. Northrup, in dismay. "Do I understand aright--he
made no mention of marriage?"

The girl sobbed. Mrs. Northrup sprang to her feet and paced up and down
the floor.

"I-- I do not understand it," she cried. "Tell me what he had to say;
repeat the conversation that passed between you."

"It did not amount to anything," returned her daughter bitterly. "To be
quite plain with you, mamma, he was very distant and cold toward me. In
fact, it was almost like getting acquainted with him over again; and to
add insult to injury, as he took my hand for an instant at parting, he
said, 'Good-night, Miss Northrup.' Oh! what shall I do, mamma--advise
me! Ought I to give him up?"

"No," said Mrs. Northrup, sternly, "that would never do. That marriage
must take place!"

CHAPTER XVI.

WHAT OUGHT A GIRL DO IF THE MAN SHE LOVES CARES FOR ANOTHER?

"Do you hear me, Gerelda?" repeated Mrs. Northrup. "This marriage must
go on! It would be the talk of the whole country if Hubert Varrick
jilted you. But let me understand this matter thoroughly; did he give
you any sort of a hint that he wished to break off with you? You must
tell me all very plainly, and keep nothing back. I am older than you are
Gerelda, and know more concerning worldly affairs. I now say this much:
there must be a rival in the background. When a man has been in love
with one girl, and suddenly cools off, there is a reason for it, depend
on it."

"Even if there was a rival in the way, tell me what I could do, mamma,
to--to win him back!"

"When a man once ceases to love you, you might as well attempt to move a
mountain as to rekindle the old flame in his heart. I understand this
point thoroughly. You will have to make up your mind to marry him
without love."

"It takes two to make a contract to marry," sobbed Gerelda. "I am
willing, but he does not seem to be."

"It is plainly evident that I shall have to take the mat