rust me that
I am not heartless. And what of Julian Felsenburgh?"

For a moment he saw hesitation in her eyes; her loyalty to him and her
loathing of all that had happened strove within her. Then once again
loyalty prevailed, the name of Felsenburgh weighed down the balance, and
trust came back with a flood of tears.

"Oh, Oliver," she said, "I know I trust you. But I am so weak, and all
is so terrible. And He so strong and merciful. And will He be with us
to-morrow?"

* * * * *

It struck midnight from the clock-tower a mile away as they yet sat and
talked. She was still tremulous from the struggle; but she looked at him
smiling, still holding his hands. He saw that the reaction was upon her
in full force at last.

"The New Year, my husband," she said, and rose as she said it, drawing
him after her.

"I wish you a happy New Year," she said. "Oh help me, Oliver."

She kissed him, and drew back, still holding his hands, looking at him
with bright tearful eyes.

"Oliver," she cried again, "I must tell you this.... Do you know what I
thought before you came?"

He shook his head, staring at her greedily. How sweet she was! He felt
her grip tighten on his hands.

"I thought I could not bear it," she whispered--"that I must end it
all--ah! you know what I mean."

His heart flinched as he heard her; and he drew her closer again to
himself.

"It is all over! it is all over," she cried. "Ah! do not look like that!
I could not tell you if it was not."'

As their lips met again there came the vibration of an electric bell
from the next room, and Oliver, knowing what it meant, felt even in that
instant a tremor shake his heart. He loosed her hands, and still smiled
at her.

"The bell!" she said, with a flash of apprehension.

"But it is all well between us again?"

Her face steadied itself into loyalty and confidence.

"It is all well," she said; and again the impatient bell tingled. "Go,
Oliver; I will wait here."

A minute later he was back again, with a strange look on his white face,
and his lips compressed. He came straight up to her, taking her once
more by the hands, and looking steadily into her steady eyes. In the
hearts of both of them resolve and faith were holding down the emotion
that was not yet dead. He drew a long breath.

"Yes," he said in an even voice, "it is over."

Her lips moved; and that deadly paleness lay on her cheeks. He gripped
her firmly.

"Listen," he said. "You must face