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clasped her hand in both his own Neither spoke a word, yet each

understood so of as in the heart of the other

"Will you walk outside with me?" he asked, at last "I have much to

say which I am sure you would rather hear alone"

She bent her head, and with a brief word of explanation to the others,

the young officer conducted her forth into the bright July sunshine

They walked in silence side by side along the bank of the little

streairlish face There

was a pallor on her countenance, a shadow in her eyes, yet she walked

with the sarace, her head fir her features seeoing nohere ht them

without conscious volition As he led her across the rivulet she

glanced up into his face with a sh a happy recollection

had burst upon her Yet not a as spoken until the barrier of

underbrush had been completely penetrated, and they stood face to face

under the trees Then Brant spoke

"Naida," he said, gravely, "I have come back, as I said I would, and

surely I read welcome in your eyes?"