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"Ah, I ahed Manella

"No--you're not clever--thank God for it! But you're devoted--and devotion is sometimes more than cleverness" He paused, reflectively "Well, I'll have to go away to on here In fact, I'd rather be out of the way But I've a notion I et back--in the ive him--"

"You will not write of irl, hastily "No--youhand

"Don't be afraid, ive you away for the world! I've no right to say a word about you, and I shall not My letter will be a merely business one--you shall read it if you like---"

"Oh no!"--she said at once, with proud frankness; "I would not doubt your word!"

Gwent gave her a co her beauty shone with the brilliance of a white flower ae "What a sensation she would lorious eyes and that hair!"

And a vague regret for his lost youth moved him; he was a very wealthy man, and had he been in his prime he would have tried a matrimonial chance with this unspoilt beautiful creature,--it would have pleased hiarments and to set the finest diamonds in her dark tresses, so that she should be the wonder and envy of all beholders He answered her last remark with a kindly little nod and smile

"Good! You needn't doubt it ever!"--he said--"If at any time you want a friend you can bet on Saress and you can always find od' of any ed flash of lightning tore the sky, followed al through the valley Great drops of rain began to fall

"Coht Manella's hand--"Run!"

And like children they ran together through the garden into the Plaza lounge, reaching it just before a second lightning flash and peal of thunder renewed double e-faced invalidat them as they hurried in