ay.

Surprise was dead in Archie where the Governor was concerned; he could
only marvel at the ease and finish with which the man made the room
vibrate with the most exquisite melodies of Schumann, Chopin, MacDowell.
He played for half an hour without airs or affectations, things that
bruised and hurt the spirit by their very tenderness and wistfulness.

"It's as though some one had been flinging handfuls of rose leaves into
the room," said Julia softly when the last chords had died away.

The music had at least served the purpose of dispersing any unhappy
hovering ghosts, and she was quick to seize the moment as a propitious
one for her departure. The Governor did not demur when she asked him to
see if her car was waiting.

"You are not afraid to drive out alone? I should be glad, you know, to
make the run with you."

"Not in the least afraid," she answered lightly.

Fear, Archie thought, was not a thing one would associate with her. The
Governor brought her coat, a long garment that covered her completely.
She produced from the bag a cap which she substituted for the hat and
Archie had thus his first view of her handsome head and abundant dark
hair and her face freed of the baffling shadow.

In carrying her wrap into the room the Governor had frustrated any hope
she may have had for a private word with him; but she betrayed no
resentment.

"It's really much nicer changing indoors," she laughed, standing before
a mirror to adjust the cap. "Coming in I shifted my headgear just before
we reached town. Behold me now, a woman transformed!"

The Governor plucked Archie's sleeve as a sign that he was not to drop
back and she walked to the car between them.

With a smile and a wave of the hand she was gone and they stood at the
curb looking after her until the limousine was out of sight.

"Thank you, lad," said the Governor quietly.

They went up to his den, where they smoked for some time in silence. The
Governor seemed to be gathering himself together after the strain of the
three difficult hours and when he spoke finally it was with a deep sigh.

"Well, Archie, we must bear ourselves as men in all our perplexities. We
are put into this world for a purpose, every chick of us, and there's no
use kicking the shins of the high gods. I feel a leading; there's
something pulling us both; unseen powers knocking us about. Tomorrow I
shall be engaged most of the day; there are some of the brotherhood to
meet and it mu