the
old worn-out story of the cruel parent and the suffering child, but I
_will_ convince you!" And now her hands quit their hold upon his arm and
tore at the bosom of her dainty gown--tore it open to the filmy lace and
ribbon underneath--tore off the driving glove from her right hand,
hurling it to the ground, and then the slim, nervous little fingers went
burrowing within. "You _dare_ doubt I love you!" she cried, and now her
eyes were ablaze, her rich, red lips were parted, her breath came
panting through the pearly gate, her young bosom was heaving like a
troubled sea. "I told you I had burned your letters--such as I had. They
burned them for me, but they could not burn your picture--_I_ did
that--I, with my mad kisses, Sandy!" And from its warm nest she drew it,
the very one he had given her in Manila, the brave, boyish face in its
tiny frame of gold, moist and blurred as though indeed her lips, her
tears, had worn it dim. "You will not look?" though one quick glance he
shot, then, with the blood surging through his veins, he turned again
and covered his eyes with his arm. "Then hear--this--and this," and
long, passionately, repeatedly she kissed the senseless, unresponsive
counterfeit, and then, letting it hang by its slender chain, once more
seized his arm and burst into a passion of tears. Then suddenly,
fiercely, she thrust him aside, turned, started swiftly away, took but
four tottering steps and, finally, almost as she did the day of the
drive, toppled headlong.

When Felicie thought it time to take another decorous look, Mr. Ray was
kneeling by that fair, prostrate form, lifting the lovely head upon his
knee, one arm about her neck, the other drawing her to his breast, and
he was raining kiss after kiss upon the sweeping, long-lashed eyelids,
upon the pallid cheek, upon the exquisite mouth, and presently a slender
arm stole languidly about his neck and drew and held his lips to hers.

It was nearly five that evening when the pretty phaeton whirled homeward
through the west gate. It was nearly nine when Lieutenant Ray came
slowly up-hill from the stables and, climbing the short flight to the
rear doorway, found his mother and Priscilla awaiting him in the
dining-room. He had eaten nothing since a late breakfast, and an
appetizing supper was in readiness. He looked very pale, very tired, and
to the fond and anxious eyes uplifted hopefully at first, very ill--too
ill, perhaps, to note how ill she looked, the l