lood, looking at one another. There was no sign
of Flora Schuyler, they were alone, enfolded in the silence of the bluff.

"It is wonderful," he said. "I can't even talk, Hetty. I want to realize
it."

Hetty laughed but there was a note in her voice that set the man's heart
beating furiously. "Yes, it is wonderful it should come to me," she said.
"No, you needn't look round, Larry. There is nothing and nobody that
counts now except you and me. I am just beginning to understand your
patience, and how hard I must have been to you."

"I waited a long time," he said. "It was worth while. Even the troubles I
felt crushing me seem very little now. If they were only over, and there
was nothing to come between you and me!"

"Larry," the girl said very softly, "are you sure they need do that? It
has been so horrible lately, and I can't even sleep at night for thinking
of the risks that you are taking."

Grant closed one hand, but it was too dark now for Hetty to see his face,
and she was glad of it.

"You mean--" he said hoarsely, and stopped.

"Just this," her voice almost a whisper. "I am frightened of it all, and
when you want me I will come to you. No, wait just a little. I could never
marry the man who was fighting against my father and the people I belong
to, while, now I know what you are, I could never ask him to go back on
what he felt was right; but, Larry, the men you did so much for have
turned against you, and the things they are doing are not right, and would
never please you. Can't we go away and leave the trouble behind us? Nobody
seems to want us now."

There was a cold dew on the man's forehead the girl could not see. "And
your father?" he said.

"I would never help anyone against him, as I told you," said the girl.
"Still, there are times when his bitterness almost frightens me. It is
hard to admit it, even to you, but I can't convince myself that he and the
others are not mistaken, too. I can't believe any longer that you are
wrong, dear. Besides, though he says very little, I feel he wants me to
marry Clavering."

"Clavering?" said Larry.

"Yes," said Hetty, with a shiver. "I dislike him bitterly--and I should be
safe with you."

Grant held out his hands. "Then, you must come, my dear. One way or other
the struggle will soon be over now, and if I have to go out an outcast I
can still shelter you."

[Illustration: THERE WAS A NOTE IN HER VOICE THAT SET THE MAN'S
HEART BEATING FURIOUSLY.--Page