?" sweetly inquired the
siren.

His face clouded over.

"I must return to-morrow," he said. "It was the only condition upon
which our principal would consent to my leaving yesterday. He is going
North to purchase his fall and winter goods, you see, and wants me to be
there."

"How long will he be absent?"

"He says only four days, at the longest."

"And when does he go?"

"By the next train following my return."

"Then he will be back again at his post by Saturday evening?"

"Yes; in fact, he intends to be back by the end of the week, and that is
the very reason why he is so anxious to get away to-morrow night."

"Craven, dear, when your senior partner gets back do you think you will
be able to return here for a few days?"

"Do you really wish me to come back so soon?" exclaimed the lover, his
face flushing all over with pleasure.

"Yes; but don't cry out so loud--that's a dear! I repeat, there are
people in the next room. But you have not yet answered my question."

"Oh, yes, I can return here as soon as my partner gets back! He promised
that I should take a week's holiday then. So, if he gets back on
Saturday evening, expect to see me here on Sunday morning, in time to
wait on you to church."

"Stop; not so fast, my dear! You can take your week's holiday at any
time, I suppose?"

"At any time this month or next."

"Very well. Now, dear boy, I want you to promise me two or three
things."

"I will promise you anything in the world you wish."

"Then listen. Every time I write to you I will inclose within my letter
another letter, sealed and directed to me, which you must stamp and post
at the Wendover post-office. Will you do that for me?"

While she spoke the young man gazed at her in unqualified amazement.

"Will you do that for me?" she repeated.

"I solemnly promise to do that for you, although I am all in the dark as
to what you would be at," earnestly answered Craven Kyte.

"I thank you, dearest dear," cooed the siren, caressing him tenderly.

"I would do anything in the world for you," he answered fervently. "I
would die for you or live for you!"

"Well, secondly, I want you, when you go back, to keep an eye on Mr.
Alden Lytton. Find out, if possible, the day that he comes to this city.
And precede him here yourself by one train. Or, if that is not possible,
if you can not find out beforehand the day that he is to come, at least
you can certainly know when he actually does start, for