How
glad I am, too, that I came to-night to find you here alone. My father
does not expect me until to-morrow; but I had a matter of importance to
talk over with him, so ran up on the evening train. But I am forgetting
that I have a thrilling story to tell you."

He then related all that had occurred in connection with the bold diamond
robbery and his imprisonment and subsequent illness in Doctor
Wesselhoff's retreat for nervous patients, while Mona listened with
wonder-wide eyes and a paling cheek, as she realized the danger through
which her lover had passed.

"What an audacious scheme!" she exclaimed, when he concluded. "How could
any woman dare to plan, much less put it into execution! No wonder that
you were ill, and you must have been very sick, for you are still thin
and pale," Mona said, regarding him anxiously.

"I shall now soon outgrow that," Ray responded, smiling. "It was chiefly
anxiety and unhappiness on your account that kept me thin and pale. You
will see how quickly I shall recover my normal condition now that I have
found you and know that you are all my own. Now tell me all about your
own troubles, my darling. Do you know, it seems an age to me since we
parted that night at your uncle's door, and you gave me permission to
call upon you? My intention then was to seek an interview with Mr.
Dinsmore within a day or two, tell him of my love for you, and ask his
permission to address you. But, even had no misfortune overtaken me, I
could not have done so, since he was stricken that very night; but at
least I could have come to you with words of sympathy."

Mona then gave him a detailed account of all that had happened during
those dark days, when her only friend lay dead and she felt as if all the
world had forsaken her.

"Mona," the young man gravely said, when she had finished her story, "I
shall tell my father to-night of this interview--he already knows that I
love you--and ask his sanction to our immediate marriage, for I cannot
have you remain here among my friends and acquaintances another day in
the capacity of a seamstress or waiting-maid."

"But, Ray--" Mona began, then she stopped short, blushing rosily at
having thus involuntarily called him by his Christian name. She had
always thought of him thus, and it passed her lips before she was aware
of it.

He laughed out, amused at her confusion.

"There, dear, you have broken the ice almost without knowing it," he
said; "now we shall get