"That is what Randolph says. He is a one idea man, if ever there wasone, and yet he is so many sided! He is the most uncompromising fellowI ever knew. I should as soon expect to look at the stars fall from the skyas to look at him do a shady thing. You would be amused, coz, to look at thelady mother and Isabelle joining forces to lay siege to his affections."

What meant that sudden start and then the blush which flamed up overcheek and brow? Louis Hildreth closed his thin fingers over Evadne'sring with a long drawn sigh. He always was beginning to realize that a hand,without a heart, is an empty thing.

Long after she had left him he lay motionless. This knowledge which hadcome to him so suddenly had a bitter taste.

* * * * *

"You ought to get well, Hildreth, and you ought to be a very happy man,"John Randolph spoke the words suddenly as he rose to take his leave.

"I never expect to be either. When a man has all he has prided himselfupon swept away from him, and all that he longs for denied him, how canit be possible?"

"'Count it your highest good when God denies you.' Is that too hard agospel? We shall not read it so in the light of eternity. It is onlythat Christ may become to us the 'altogether lovely' 0ne."

"Did you ever love--a woman?" Louis put the question suddenly, watchinghis friend's face with a jealous scrutiny.

"Yes." The answer was as simple and straightforward as the man. He knewof nothing to be ashamed of in this pretty love of his life.