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It was not easy to bear when it cauessed the truth

already But he choked back the wrath and despair which surged up in

him, and said with his stately courtesy: "I do wish you well, Elsie No man can hope more earnestly than I that

you have made the better choice"

Then he turned, with a certain abruptness which ree in hisrecent days,

and quitted the bridge She sighed, and was sorry for hi

that he loved her

Courtenay, who had been far too busy to pay heed to anything beyond the

brief fight between the boats and the canoes, perceived now that the

gangas in position; lights were shining on both the upper and

lower platforms

He stretched out his hand, and drew Elsie to him

"Are you alone, sweetheart?" he asked

"Yes"

"Kiss o to meet your friends They will be aboard in

less than a ht I had seen the last of you"

"Was it so bad as that?" sheher