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"What can I say to you in reply to your words of hope, darling?" exclaih as he walked beside her "I know full well how much all this must puzzle you Have you seen Brock?"

"Oh! yes I saw hied to get five minutes alone with him, and I asked if he had heard from you He replied that he had not He's much worried about you"

"Is he, dear old chap? I only wish I dared write to hiive him my address"

"I told hiive hiht, Dorise," he said "If, as I hope one day to do, I can ever clear myself and combat my secret enes of which you little dream To-day I confess I am under a cloud In the to-uilty and throw a new light upon those who have conspired to secure ain their lips met in fond caress Behind them was the silent watcher, the tall man who had followed Dorise when she had ay dance was till in progress

An empty seat was near, and with one accord the lovers sank upon it, Hugh still holding the girl's soft hand

"I o," she said "Mother will miss me, no doubt"

"And George Sherrard, too?" asked her companion bitterly

"He ht?"

"Yes Unfortunately, he is Ah! Hugh! How I hate his exquisite and superior manners But he is such a close friend of mother's that I can never escape him"

"And he still pesters you with his attentions, of course," reh in a hard voice

"Oh! yes, he is always pretending to be in love with h "Can such a man ever love a woman? Never, Dorise He does not love you as I love you--with my whole heart and my whole soul"

"Of course the fellow cannot," she replied "But, for mother's sake, I have to suffer his presence"

"At least you are frank, darling," he laughed

"I only tell you the truth, dear Mother thinks she can induce me to marry him because he is so rich, but I repeat that I have no intention whatever of doing so I love you, Hugh--and only you"