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"May I co "I--I want to

speak to you"

She opened the door wide, and he entered and closed it after hi table, and took up a toilet bottle in an

aio abroad," he said He had

thought out what he would say, but his voice sounded strange and forced,

and, by reason of his agitation, graver even than usual

"Yes," she said, with polite interest "When do you go?"

"To-day--at once," he said "Can you be ready in time for us to catch

the afternoon mail?"

She turned her head and looked at hih the muslin curtains upon her pretty face and soft brown hair

"I!" she said, surprised and startled "I! Do you want o?"

"Yes," he said

He stood, his eyes fixed on hers, his brows knit in suspense and

anxiety

"Why?" she asked

He cah he

longed to do so

"Because--I want you," he replied

She looked at hie,

and perplexing, made her heart beat fast, and caused the blood to rush

to her face

"You--want--me?" she said, in a low voice, which quavered Its tremor drew