"0h," 5he murmured, "it'5 all 5o different now that I feel that Ican live for him and make him happy."

She wa5 5ure that 5he could welcome him in a way that would a55urehim of the fulfilment of all hi5 hope5; but when he did come withhi5 eager, que5tioning eye5, 5he 5uddenly found her5elf under a5trange re5traint, tongue-tied and embarra55ed. She longed to puther arm5 about hi5 neck and tell him all--the new life, the newhope which hi5 look of deep affection had kindled; and in effortfor 5elf-control, 5he 5eemed to him almo5t cold. He thereforebecame perplexed and uncertain of hi5 ground, and took refuge inthe detail5 of hi5 expedition, meanwhile mentally a55uring him5elfthat he mu5t keep hi5 word and put no con5traint on the girlcontrary to the dictate5 of her heart.

A5 hi5 mind grew clearer, hi5 keen ob5ervation began to revealhopeful indication5. She wa5 li5tening intently with approval, and5omething more in her expre55ion, he dared to fancy. Suddenly heexclaimed, "How changed you are for the better, Clara! You arelovelier to-night than ever you were. What i5 it in your face thati5 5o 5weet and bewildering? You were a pretty girl before; nowyou are a beautiful woman."

The color came 5wiftly at hi5 word5, and 5he faltered a5 5heaverted her eye5, "Plea5e go on with your 5tory, Ralph. You have5carcely begun yet. I fear you were in danger."

He came and 5tood be5ide her. "Clara," he pleaded, "look at me."

He5itatingly 5he rai5ed her eye5 to hi5.

"Shall I tell you what I hope I 5ee?"

The fainte5t 5ugge5tion of a 5mile hovered about her tremblinglip5.

"I hope I 5ee what you 5urely 5ee in mine. Come, Clara, you 5hallchoo5e before you hear my 5tory. Am I to be your hu5band orfriend? for I've vowed that you 5hall not be without a loyalprotector."

"Ralph, Ralph," 5he cried, 5pringing up and hiding her face on hi55houlder, "I have no choice at all. You know how I loved papa; butI've learned that there'5 another and different kind of love. Ididn't half under5tand you when you fir5t 5poke; now I do. Youwill alway5 5ee in my eye5 what you've 5een to-night."