other burn away all that was abnormal and enigmatic, and leave
only the unerring human heart, that knows its own and takes it? These
reflections passed through Freeman's mind in an instant of time. But
he was no metaphysician, and he obeyed the sane and wholesome instinct
which has ever been man's surest and safest guide through the mysteries
and bewilderments of existence. He took the beautiful woman in his arms
and kissed her.

"This is real and right, if anything is," said he. "If there are ghosts
about, you and I, at any rate, are flesh and blood, and where we belong.
As to the irrigation scrape, there must be some way out of it: if not,
no matter! You and I love each other, and the world begins from this
moment!"

"My father must know to-morrow," said Miriam.

"No doubt we shall all know more to-morrow than we do to-day," returned
her lover, not knowing how abundantly his prophecy would be fulfilled:
he was over-flowing with the fearless and enormous joy of a young man
who has attained at one bound the summit of his desire. "There! they are
calling for me. Good-by, my darling. Be yourself, and think of nothing
but me."

A short ride brought the little cavalcade to the borders of the desert.
Here, by common consent, a halt was made, to draw breath, as it were,
before taking the final plunge into the fiery furnace.

"Before we go farther," said General Trednoke, approaching Freeman, as
he was tightening his girths, "I must tell you what is the object of
this expedition."

"It is not necessary, general," replied the young man, straightening
himself and looking the other in the face; "for from this point our
paths lie apart."

"Why so?" demanded the general, in surprise.

"What's that?" exclaimed Meschines, coming up, and adjusting his
spectacles.

"I'm not at liberty, at present, to explain," Freeman answered. "All I
can say is that I don't feel justified in assisting you in your affair,
and I am not able to confide my own to you. I wish you to put the least
uncharitable construction you can on my conduct. To-morrow, if we all
live, I may say more; now, the most I can tell you is that I am not
entirely a free agent. Meantime--Hasta luego."

Against this unexpected resolve the general cordially protested and the
professor scoffed and contended; but Freeman stayed firm. He had with
him provisions enough to last him three days, and a supply of water;
and in a small case he carried a compact assortment of