and depression earlier in the evening.

He had attributed it to the unpleasant knowledge he had been forced to
partially impart to her father and also in some measure to the
regrettable interview he had had with her, but now he knew that these
were only contributory causes, that the real reason was that during the
months she had occupied his thoughts and in the few meetings he had had
with her there had developed within him, unknown to himself, a sentiment
for her that could be described by but one word--love.

Always, though he had realized that she was unattainable, there must
have lingered within his breast a faint spark of hope that somehow, some
time, there would be a chance, but after to-night he knew there could
never be a chance. She had openly confessed her contempt for him, and
how would she feel later when she realized that through his efforts her
happiness was to be wrecked, and the man she loved and was to marry
branded as a criminal?




CHAPTER XXII.

A LETTER FROM MURRAY.

The girl opposite him looked up from the card before her. The lines of
her face were softened by the suggestion of a contented smile. "My
gracious!" she exclaimed. "What's the matter now? You look as though you
had lost your last friend."