or they had been good friends
and confidants for so many years.

"I must be looking out for number one, you know," he added, trying to
speak playfully; "for you will be getting married yourself one of these
days, and the old home would be very lonely without you."

Ray wondered, with a twinge of bitterness, if his father could have
forgotten how often he had told him that he "could never bear to be
separated from him, and that when he found a wife to suit him, he
must bring her home to brighten up the house and help to take care of
him."

Now, it was evident, from what he had just said, that he would be
expected to make a home for himself and his bride elsewhere.

"I wish you could find the girl you love, Ray," he went on, wistfully,
as he did not reply. "It is rather hard on you that she should have
disappeared so unaccountably. By the way, who was that lovely maiden
with you a while ago?"

"She was introduced to me as Miss Richards," Ray responded, evasively,
and flushing slightly.

Mr. Palmer looked up, surprised.

"So it was!" he exclaimed; "but I did not recognize her; and yet I
thought there was something familiar about her. I suppose it was because
she was in evening dress. Well, she is a charming little girl, anyhow.
I only hope your Mona is as pretty, and that you'll find her soon. But
suppose we go to bed," he said, with a weary sigh; "I'm tired, and we
must be off early to-morrow morning."

The conclusion of this story, and what fortunes befell Mona, are fully
told in the sequel to this volume entitled "True Love's Reward."

***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MONA***

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