side as though she hated the sight of
them. Taking from her jewel casket the engagement ring which had been
laid aside for the wedding ceremony, she quickly shut it within its own
case, to be returned as early as possible to the giver; it seemed to
burn her fingers like living fire.

A few moments later her aunt, entering her room, found her dressed in
one of her favorite house gowns,--a camel's hair of creamy white. She
looked at Kate, then at the discarded robes on a couch near by, and
stopped speechless for an instant, then stammered,--

"Katherine, child, what does this mean?"

"It means, auntie," said Kate, putting her arms about her aunt's neck,
"that there will be no wedding and no bride to-day."

Then, looking her straight in the eyes, she added: "Really, auntie, deep
down in your heart, aren't you glad of it?"

Mrs. Dean gasped, then replied, slowly, "Yes; it will make me very glad
if you do not have to marry that man; but, Katherine, I don't
understand; what will your father say?"

Before Kate could reply there was a heavy knock at the door, which Mrs.
Dean answered. She came back looking rather frightened.

"Your father wishes to see you, Katherine, in your library. Something
must have happened; he looks excited and worried. I don't know what
he'll say to you in that dress."

"I'm not afraid," Kate replied, brightly.

A moment later she entered the room where less than half an hour before
she had left Darrell. Mr. Underwood was walking up and down. As Kate
entered he turned towards her with a look of solicitude, which quickly
changed to one of surprise, tinged with anger.

"What is the meaning of this?" he demanded, looking at his watch; "it is
within an hour of the time set for your wedding; you don't look much
like a bride. Do you expect to be married in that dress?"

"I am not to be married to-day, papa; nor any other day to Mr. Walcott,"
Kate answered, calmly.

"What!" he exclaimed, scarcely comprehending the full import of her
words; "isn't the matter bad enough as it is without your making it
worse by any foolish talk or actions?"

"I don't understand you, papa; to what do you refer?"

"Why, Mr. Walcott has just been called out of town by news that his
father is lying at the point of death; it is doubtful whether he will
live till his son can reach him. He has to take the first train south
which leaves within half an hour; otherwise, he would have waited for
the ceremony to be performe