The herald., 1898-04-24

out Of him. He didn't tell me every
thing. as he was In a hurry, besides I
fancy he thought l should regard the
whole thing as wild goose chase, and
he seemed half ashamed of letting you
CO."
II dare say he was," remarked Grant.
1T does seem mad sort of thing; and
If wasn't sure Of something's turning
up should feel inclined to call myself
a fool for my palms,
We'll" continued the other, IT want
to go with you. That's the long and
short of it. Joking apart, Murray said
If could arrange it with you, he would
offer no objection. What do you say?"
Grant thought half minute. Then
said warmly: DO; I shall be delighted
II you'll put up with my ignorance. 1
think of leaving this day three weeks
by the 'Thebes.' She's good. fast boat,
one of the best of the. North African
liners. Can you go then?"
II can," said Doctor Gerard decisive
ly.
Good" exclaimed Grant. Nov you
know all about this sort Of thing-will
you help me with q list of things
shall want?"
The following days passed very rap
idly, and Grant had now completed all
his various arrangements. and nothing
remained to be done except to correct
some last proofs, and take leave OF a
few intimate friends.
In two days time he was to leave
London, and as he sat in his room, at
ter the days work was done, with
packing cases and boxes cumbering the
floor. and a generally desolate air per-
vading the apartment, he felt a longing
to settle one way or other the subject
to which he had Of late given so much
thought.
When Grant had once made up his
mind. he was usually quick to put his
plans into operation. so he sat down
and wrote a note to Mrs. Valance. to
tell her of his errand in Egypt, and
that he proposed calling to say good
bye in the afternoon Of his last day in
town.
The reply was an invitation to dinner.
Wednesday came and proved an ideal
spring day. When Evan got up he took
the brightness as an omen. He was by
turns strangely nervous and elated.
Something was going to happen. and
this feeling was the keynote to his
thoughts and actions throughout the
day. He had to go down after lunch
to receive Mr.. Murray's last instruc-
tions, and all the time he was listening
to them. his thoughts were elsewhere;
and as half-past three drew near he
became nervously apprehensive lest
something should occur to delay him.
At length, however Mr.. Murray had
said all. had shaken hands again and
again, and wished him good luck and
goodbye.
Grant laughed into the sub editors 8
room for last look, and said farewell.
Then he ran rapidly down the stairs
and out into the sunlight of the street.
Over and over again during the ride
to Hyde Park Gardens he told himself
that he had never felt like this before.
When at last the cab drew up at its
destination, he overpaid the driver, and
rang the bell, followed by Jehu's vale
dictory good wishes.
Mrs. Valance is not in," said the
man. but Miss Ethel Is. Will you
please step this way. SIR
The servant led the way along the
corridor to Mrs. Vallance's boudoir. To
Grant the time taken going along the
passage with it's subdued light seemed
an eternity. and he felt his pulses throb
as the servant threw open the door and
announced him to Miss Valance.
Ethel wore a dark crimson dress with
black trimmings-this he noticed as
she rose to greet him. 1t suited her
we'll, and he thought he had never seen
her appear so lovely and winning. He
shook hands, and then took a chair
near the one from which she had risen,
with his back to the light.
In after years he often tried to recall
(she always laughed and said she could
remember everything) how the first few
minutes passed. He heard her explana-
ton of her mothers absence. and then
they talked of his going away. When
he mentioned in sheer desperation, and
for the sake of saying something. that
he might never come back, he saw the
girls breath catch with a strangled
sob in her throat, and then it was all
over with him.
He drew his chair close to hers. and
as he did so, she covered her face with
her hands. There was a moments ST.
lence-a complete stiffness. They could
almost hear each others hearts beat
ing, and Grant could see the girls flut-
tering beneath the silk bodice of her
dress.
In a minute she looked up and saw
him close to her. Then he took her
hands quite down from her face, and
held them tightly in his own-so tight
ly, yet tenderly, that she could not
have freed them had she wished.
will you be my wife, Ethel?" he
said, very gently. yet quite distinctly.
The girls tears still fell.
"Ethel-he dwelt lovingly on the
name, it was so sweet upon his lips
Ethel, dearest, you are crying" he
said, leaning forward and putting his
arm around her, and speaking In a
voice of infinite gentleness. why do
you cry? Is it because you are pained,
or because you love nre?"
He spoke very soothingly; but it
seemed to her as If the silence would
crush her. and as If her heart would
beat it's way out Of her bosom.
do you love me, Ethel?"
She looked up: his face-his lips.
were very near hers.
How love you!" she replied, pas
sionately. IT have loved you since the
old days"
my darling! think you do love me,
and it's because I think SO that I dare
offer you so little for all you are going
to give me. And because Of this that
1 tell you that love you now, just be-
fore 1 go away. But there Is nothing
in this whole world that can keep you
from me If you love me. Let me hear
it again, dear one."
She was smiling now-through her
tears-and he put his face down to
baro apd Iookod into har aves