"I shall see you Christmas Eve," I said, "wherever

you may be."

"In three days? Then you will come to my Christmas

Eve party. I shall be delighted to see you,-and

flattered! Just think of throwing away a fortune to

satisfy one's curiosity! I'm surprised at you, but gratified,

on the whole, Mr. Glenarm!"

"I shall give more than a fortune, I shall give the

honor I have pledged to my grandfather's memory to

hear your voice again."

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"That is a great deal,-for so small a voice; but

money, fortune! A man will risk his honor readily

enough, but his fortune is a more serious matter. I'm

sorry we shall not meet again. It would be pleasant to

discuss the subject further. It interests me particularly."

"In three days I shall see you," I said.

She was instantly grave.

"No! Please do not try. It would be a great mistake.

And, anyhow, you can hardly come to my party

without being invited."

"That matter is closed. Wherever you are on Christmas

Eve I shall find you," I said, and felt my heart

leap, knowing that I meant what I said.

"Good-by," she said, turning away. "I'm sorry I

shan't ever chase rabbits at Glenarm any more."

"Or paddle a canoe, or play wonderful celestial music

on the organ."

"Or be an eavesdropper or hear pleasant words from

the master of Glenarm-"

"But I don't know where you are going-you haven't

told me anything-you are slipping out into the

world-"

She did not hear or would not answer. She turned

away, and was at once surrounded by a laughing throng

that crowded about the train. Two brown-robed Sisters

stood like sentinels, one at either side, as she stepped

into the car. I was conscious of a feeling that from the

depths of their hoods they regarded me with un-Christian

disdain. Through the windows I could see the

students fluttering to seats, and the girl in gray seemed

to be marshaling them. The gray hat appeared at a

window for an instant, and a smiling face gladdened, I

am sure, the guardians of the peace at St. Agatha's, for

whom it was intended.

The last trunk crashed into the baggage car, every

window framed for a moment a girl's face, and the

train was gone.




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