See." She slipped her hand inside the shawl and drew from her breast a thin gold chain on which was strung a band ring.

"It was grandmother's--that's where I got the fancy for the name of Merridy, I suppose." "May I look ?" "Of course.

But I daren't take it off.

I haven't had it off my neck since I was a baby." She held it out for him to examine, and, although it brought his head close to hers, there was no trace of coquetry in the invitation.

He read the inscription, "From Dan to Merridy," but had no realization of what it meant, for he glimpsed the milk-white flesh almost at his lips, and felt her breath stirring his hair, while the delicate scent of her person seemed to loose every strong emotion in him.