ther and Tom are in
trouble, and I wanted to ask you if anything could be done to--to--" she
ceased speaking, and in a moment Williams said:--

"I have held the house off for four or five months, and I cannot induce
them to wait longer. Their letters are imperative. I wish I had brought
them."

"Then nothing can save them?" asked Rita. The words almost choked her,
because she knew the response they would elicit. She was asking him to
ask her to marry him.

"Rita, there is one thing might save them," replied Roger of the craven
heart. "You know what that is. I have spoken of it so often I am almost
ashamed to speak again." Well he might be.

"Well, what is it? Go on," said Rita, without a sign of faltering. She
wanted to end the agony as soon as possible.

"If you will marry me, Rita--you know how dearly I love you; I need not
tell you of that. Were you not so sure of my love, I might stand better
with you. You see, if you will marry me my father could not, in decency,
prosecute Tom or ruin your father. He would be compelled to protect them
both, being in the family, you know."

"If you will release Tom and save my father from ruin I will ... will
do ... as ... you ... wish," answered the girl. Cold and clear were the
words which closed this bargain, and cold as ice was the heart that sold
itself.

Williams stepped quickly to her side, exclaiming delightedly, "Rita,
Rita, is it really true at last?"

He attempted to kiss her, but she held up her hand warningly.

"No," she said, "not till I am your wife. Then I must submit. Till then
I belong to myself."

"I have waited a long time," answered this patient suitor, "and I can
wait a little longer. When shall we be married?"

"Fix the time yourself," she replied.

"I am to leave Christmas morning by the Napoleon stage for home, and if
you wish we may be married Christmas Eve. That will give you four days
for preparation."

"As you wish," was the response.

"I know, Rita, you do not love me," said Williams, tenderly.

"You surely do," she interrupted.

"But I also know," he continued, "that I can win your love when you are
my wife. I know it, or I would not ask you to marry me. I would not
accept your hand if I were not sure that I would soon possess your
heart. I will be so loving and tender and your life will be so
perfect--so different from anything you have ever known--that you will
soon be glad you gave yourself to me. It will not be long, Rita, not