ed her face from him, buried her
head in the cushions of the sofa, and gave way to a fresh storm of
anguish.

When she repulsed him in this spasmodic manner, he recoiled as a man
might do who had received a sudden blow; but he did not rise from his
position, but watched beside her sofa, in great distress of mind,
patiently waiting for her to speak and explain.

Gradually her tempest of emotion seemed to be raging itself into the
rest of exhaustion. Her sobs and tears grew fainter and fewer; and
presently after that she drew out her handkerchief, and raised herself
to a sitting position, and began to wipe her wet and tear-stained face
and eyes. Though her tears and sobs had ceased, still her bosom heaved
convulsively.

He arose and seated himself beside her, put his arm around her, and drew
her beautiful black, curled head upon his faithful breast, and bending
his face to hers, entreated her to tell him the cause of her grief.

"What is it, dear one? Have you had bad news? A telegram from Rockhold?
Either of the old people had a stroke? Tell me, dear?"

"Nothing--has--happened," she answered, giving each word with a gasp.

"Then what troubles you, dear? Tell me, wife! tell me! I am your
husband!" he whispered, smoothing her black hair, and gazing with
infinite tenderness on her troubled face.

"Oh, Rule! Rule! Rule!" she moaned, closing her eyes, that could not
bear his gaze.

"Tell me, dear," he murmured, gently, continuing to stroke her hair.

"I am--nervous--Rule," she breathed. "I shall get over it--presently.
Give me--a little time," she gasped.

"Nervous?" He gazed down on her woe-writhen face, with its closed eyes
that would not meet his own. Yes, doubtless she was nervous--very
nervous--but she was more than that. Mere nervousness never blanched a
woman's face, wrung her features or convulsed her form like this.

"Cora, look at me, dear. There is something I have to say to you."

She forced herself to lift her eyelids and meet the honest, truthful
eyes that looked down into hers.

"Cora," he said, with a certain grave yet sweet tone of authority,
"there is some great burden on your mind, dear--a burden too heavy for
you to bear alone."

"Oh, it is! it is! it is!" she wailed, as if the words had broken from
her without her knowledge.

"Then let me share it," he pleaded.

"Oh, Rule! Rule! Rule!" she wailed, dropping her head upon his breast.

"Is your trouble so bitter, dear? What is it, Cora?