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"No A wooes where it must If a man loses, he loses"

She choked over her words "It doesn't see I said that if you savedhimI would marry you Manuel, II'll keep faith if you'll take row"

"No, my cousin I have wooed and lost Why should you be bound by a pledge made at such a time? As your heart tells you to do, so you must do" He added after a pause: "It is this A at him lest she see the pain in his eyes

"I wish you joy, Valencia--a world full of it, so long as life lasts"

He took her fingers in his, and kissed thehtly to another subject: "Have you heard anything yet of the tin box of Mr Gordon's?"

She accepted the transition gratefully, for she was so moved she was afraid lest she break down

"Not yet It is strange, too, where it has gone I have had inquiries made every where"

"For me, I hope it is never found Why should you feel responsibility to search for these papers that will ruin you and your tenants?"

"If my men had not attacked and tried to murder him he would still have his evidence I seek only to put him in the position he was in before we injured hie for yourself, Valencia But, if you don't mind, I shall continue to wish you failure in your search," he replied

It was now that Jimmie Corbett came into the room to say that Mr Gordon would like to call on Don Manuel, if the latter felt able to receive hilance at his cousin He answered the boy at once

"Tell Mr Gordon I shall be very glad to see him," he said quietly

Nor did he look at her after the boy had left the rooave his attention wholly to propping hi the doorway before he ca into the room From that point he bowed to Miss Valdés, then moved forward to the bed

He did not offer to shake hands, but stood looking down at his rival, with an odd look of envy on his face But it was the envy of a brave and generous ive you best, Don Manuel," he finally said "You've got ain, andto say that will cover that, I reckon"