e it is nothing. He has never been ill, and is more frightened
than a more experienced person would be. There is no need to alarm your
mother unnecessarily, so say nothing till you hear from me. Shall wire
you as soon as I arrive, which will be to-morrow night.

LOUIS.

How could she refrain from telling her mother? She felt suddenly weak
and powerless. O God, good God, her heart cried, only make him well!

The sound of the library door closing made her spring to her feet; her
mother stood regarding her.

"What is it, Ruth?" she asked.

"Nothing," she cried, her voice breaking despite her effort to be
calm,--"nothing at all. Louis has just sent me word that he had to leave
town this evening, and says not to wait dinner for him."

"That is very strange," mused her mother, moving slowly toward her and
holding out her hand for the note; but Ruth thrust the papers into her
pocket.

"It is to me, Mamma; you do not care for second-hand love-letters, do
you?" she asked, assuming a desperate gayety. "There is nothing strange
about it; he often leaves like this."

"Not in such weather and not after---- There won't be a man in the house
to-night. I wish your father were home; he would not like it if he
knew." She shivered slightly as they went into the dining-room.

Chapter XXIII

The next day passed like a nightmare. To add to the misery of her
secret, her mother began to fidget over the continued lack of any
communication from her husband. Had the weather been fair, Ruth would
have insisted on her going out with her; but to the rain of the day
before was added a heavy windstorm that made any unnecessary expedition
from home absurd.

Mrs. Levice worried herself into a headache, but would not lie down. She
was sure that the next delivery would bring something. Was it not time
for the second delivery? Would not Ruth please watch for the postman?
By half-past one she took up her station at the window only to see the
jaunty little rubber-encased man go indifferently by. At half-past four
this scene was repeated, and then she decided to act.

"Ring up the telegraph-office, Ruth; I am going to send a despatch."

"Why, Mamma, probably the mail is delayed; it always is in winter.
Besides, you will only frighten Father."

"Nonsense; two days is a long delay without the excuse of a blockade. Go
to the telephone, please."

"The telephone was broken yesterday, you know."

"I had forgotten. Well, one of the girls must