r they would not lose their young
physician yet. But Morris smiled his patient, kindly smile on all their
fears and went his way, doing his work as one who knew he must render
strict account for the popularity he was daily gaining, both in his own
town and those around. He could think of Katy now without a sin, but he
was not thinking of her when she came so unexpectedly upon him, and for
an instant she almost bore his breath away in her vehement joy.

Quick to note a change in those he knew, he saw that her form was not
quite so full, nor her cheeks so round; but she was weary with the
voyage, she said, and knowing how seasickness will wear upon one's
strength, Morris imputed it wholly to that, and believed she was, as
she professed to be, perfectly happy.

"Come, Katy, we must go now," Wilford said, as the bell rang its first
alarm, and the passengers, some with sandwiches and some with fried
cakes in their hands, ran back to find their seats.

"Yes, I know, but I have not asked half I meant to. Oh, how I want to go
home with you, Morris," Katy exclaimed, again throwing her arms around
the doctor's neck as she bade him good-by, and sent fresh messages of
love to the friends at home, who, had they known she was to be there at
that time, would have walked the entire distance for the sake of looking
once more into her dear face.

"I intended to have brought them heaps of things," she said, "but we
came home so suddenly I had no time. Here, take Helen this. Tell her
it is real," and the impulsive creature drew from her finger a small
diamond set in black enamel, which Wilford had bought in Paris. "She did
not need it; she had two more, and she was sure Wilford would not mind,"
she said, turning to him for his approbation.

But Wilford did mind, and his face indicated as much, although he tried
to be natural as he replied: "Certainly, send it if you like."

In her excitement Katy did not observe it, but Morris did, and he at
first declined taking it, saying Helen had no use for it and would be
better pleased with something not half as valuable. Katy, however,
insisted, appealing to Wilford, who, ashamed of his first emotion, now
seemed quite as anxious as Katy herself, until Morris placed the ring
in his purse, and then bade Katy hasten or she would certainly be left.
One more wave of the hand, one more kiss thrown from the window, and the
train moved on, Katy feeling like a different creature for having seen
some on