happiest two years of her existence, was to be broken up for good and
all.

"Now I must go to your mother. Kiss me, my dear!"

As he rose to his feet Mary Louise also sprang from her chair and the
Colonel folded his arms around her and for a moment held her tight in
his embrace. Then he slowly released her, holding the girl at arms'
length while he studied her troubled face with grave intensity. One kiss
upon her upturned forehead and the old man swung around and left the
room without another word.

Mary Louise sank into her chair, a little sob in her throat. She felt
very miserable, indeed, at that moment. "Harlequin fate!" she sighed. "I
wonder why it has chosen us for its victims?"

After an hour passed in the deserted library she stole away to her own
room and prepared for bed. In the night, during her fitful periods of
sleep, she dreamed that her mother bent over her and kissed her lips--
once, twice, a third time.

The girl woke with a start. A dim light flooded her chamber, for outside
was a full moon. But the room was habited only by shadows, save for her
own feverish, restless body. She turned over to find a cooler place and
presently fell asleep again.




CHAPTER V