-fold on her account, and she would not
be very likely to put any proofs into my hands, especially when they
would be liable to be very detrimental to her own interests."

"True, I did not think of that," returned Ray, thoughtfully. "But how do
you expect to obtain possession of these proofs, even if she has them,
and how long must I wait for you?" he gloomily added.

"I do not know, Ray," she answered, with a sigh. "I do not see my way
very clearly. I keep hoping, and something seems to hold me to this
position in spite of myself. Let me remain three or six months longer;
then if I do not succeed--"

"I will concede three months, but no more," Ray interposed, decidedly;
then added: "What does it matter whether you know all this history or
not? It cannot be anything of vital importance, or that will affect your
future in any way. I wish you would let me speak to my father and
announce our engagement at once, my darling."

"Nay, please, Ray, let me have my way in this," Mona pleaded, with
crimson cheeks. She could not tell him that she felt sensitive about
becoming his wife until she could have absolute proof of the legal
marriage of her father and mother.

He bent down and looked earnestly into her face.

"Mona, is that the only reason why you wish to wait? You do not shrink
from our union from any doubt of your own heart--of your love for me, or
mine for you?" he gravely asked.

"No, indeed, Ray," and she put out both her hands to him, with an
eagerness that entirely reassured him even before she added: "I cannot
tell you how glad, how restful, how content I am since your coming
to-night. I was so lonely and sorrowful, the future looked so dark and
cheerless because I feared I had lost you; but now all is bright."

She dropped her face again upon his breast to hide the blushes this
confession had called up, and the happy tears also that were dropping
from her long lashes.

He gathered her close to his heart, thrilling at her words.

"Then I will try to be patient for three months, love," he murmured, "and
meantime I suppose you will have to be Ruth Richards to me as well as to
others."

"Yes, it will not do to have my real name known--that will spoil all,"
Mona replied, with a sigh, for her truthful soul recoiled with as much
aversion from all deception as he possibly could do.

"And am I not to see you during all this time?" Ray ruefully asked.

"Oh, yes; not to see you would be unbearable to me," Mona