CHAPTER VII.
"COME home early, dear," said Mrs.Wilkinson, resting her hand upon her husband, and looking into his face with a loving smile.

"The time seems so long when you are away!" "Does it ?" returned Wilkinson, and he kissed his wife.

Yet, did not the tenderness of tone with which he spoke, nor the act of love which accompanied it, hide from the quick perception of Mary the fact that her husband's thoughts were elsewhere.
"Oh, yes," she replied.

"I count the hours when you are absent.

You'll be home early to tea ?" "Certainly I will.