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Her hands unclasped and ith a swift motion to her eyes, and

covered thehtened; she did not care for hi, so girlish, so innocent!

"Forgive ive me!" he pleaded, and he ventured to touch her arm

"I have--startled you; you did not expect--it was unfair to bring you

here But I can't take it back I love you with all my heart and soul

See, Nell--you will let me call you that? It's the name I love above all

others--the name I think of you by I--I won't harass you You--you

shall have tio away for--for a few days--and you

shall think over----No, no!" he broke off, springing to his feet and

bending over her with a sudden passion which swept all before it "I

can't go I can't leave you again, unless--unless I go forever I must

have your answer no! Speak to me, Nell 'Yes' or 'No'?"

He drew her hands from her face as she rose, and her eyes were lifted

and met his Love's sweet surrender shone in theht her to him

"Nell, Nell!" was all that he could say "Is it true? You--you love me,

Nell?"

She hid her face on his breast, and her hands trembled on his shoulders

"Yes--yes," she breathed, almost inaudibly Then: "Do I?"