ket, but Halloran put a restraining hand on his
arm.

"Remember that is your besetting sin," he said. "You have had enough of
that already. It will require a steady nerve to meet the girl and carry
out the deception, for the eyes of love are quick to discern. If she
should for an instant suspect that you are not her lover, Lester
Armstrong, the game is up, and you have lost the high stake you are
playing for."

"You are right," exclaimed the other, "nothing must interfere with the
marriage."

"This must be the place," exclaimed Halloran, in a low voice; "large
gabled house, arched gate, serpentine walk; yes, there is the figure of
a woman in the shadow of the stone post this way. You are actually
trembling. Remember, it's only a young girl you are to face on this
occasion, and a deucedly pretty one, at that. The time that you will be
more apt to be shaky is when you face her father; but I guess you're
equal to it."

A low laugh was his companion's only answer. The next moment Kendale
called to the driver to halt, threw open the door and sprang out into
the main road, hastening toward the little figure that had emerged out
of the shadow.

"Oh, Lester, you have been so long," cried the girl, springing into his
arms with a little sobbing cry. "I have been waiting here almost half an
hour."

"It took longer to come than I had reckoned on, my darling," he
answered. "You know I had to stop at the village below and make
arrangements for the wedding."

The girl drew back and looked at him.

"Your voice sounds so hoarse and strange, Lester," she said. "Have you
been crying?"

His arms fell from her; he drew back, laughing immoderately.

"What, weeping on the happiest day of my life?" he cried. "Well, that's
pretty good. I've been up to my ears in business, rushing around, to
get everything in shipshape order, but, good Lord! what am I thinking
about, to keep you standing here in the snow? Here is the coach, and by
the way, I've brought along an old friend of mine, who was wild to
witness the marriage ceremony."

As he spoke he took her by the arm and drew the girl toward the carriage
in waiting.

What was there about her lover that seemed so changed to the girl, that
caused the love to suddenly die out of her heart?

"Lester," she cried, drawing back, "oh--oh, please do not be angry with
me, but I've changed my mind. It seemed such a terrible thing to do. Let
us not be married to-night."

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