over him that was terrible to witness. As he took her hand he trembled,
almost convulsively, from head to foot. His face became ghastly white,
he pressed his hand against his heart, his breathing was thick and
oppressed, big drops of perspiration started forth upon his brow, and at
last, to Edith's amazement, he burst into tears, and sobbed aloud. Then
he dropped her hand, and turned away, murmuring some inarticulate words.

At this Edith's confusion passed away, and changed to wonder. What was
the meaning of this? Tears and sobs--and from a man! But the thought at
once occurred that this was his sensitiveness, and that it arose from
her telling him so plainly that she did not love him. "I can not love
him, and he knows it," she thought, "and it breaks his heart, poor
fellow! How I wish I could console him!"

Suddenly Dudleigh dashed his hand across his eyes, and walked swiftly
onward. Edith followed as fast as she could, keeping him in sight, but
falling farther and farther behind. At length he turned and came back
to meet her. His eyes were downcast, and there was misery unspeakable on
his white face. As he came up to her he held out his hand, and looked at
her with a strange, woful gaze.

Edith took the hand which he held out.

"Miss Dalton," said he, "you said you would be mine."

[Illustration: "THEN HE DROPPED HER HAND, AND TURNED AWAY."]

Edith's lips moved, but no sound escaped them.

"All that you have said, Miss Dalton," he continued, "I feel most