Do you think me insensible to gratitude and affection ?" "I do not desire your gratitude for a few articles----" "It isn't for them--though I'm grateful for those things too! It's gratitude to God for giving me you, Euan Loskiel! And you ought to take shame to yourself for doubting it!" I said nothing, being unable to see her in the darkness, much less perceive what expression she wore for her rebuke to me.

Then as I stood silent, I felt her little hands groping on my arm; and my own closed on them and I laid my lips to them.
"Ai-me!" she said softly.

"Why do we fight and fret each other?
Why do I, who adore you so, let you vex me and stir me to say what I do not mean at all.

Always remember, Euan--always, always--that whatever I am unkind enough to say or do to vex you, in my secret mind I know that no other man on earth is comparable to you--and that you reign first in my heart--first, and all by yourself, alone." "And will you try to love me some day, Lois ?" "I do." "I mean----" "Oh, Euan, I do--I do! Only--you know--not in the manner you once spoke of----" "But I love you in that manner." "No, you do not! If you did, doubtless I would respond; no doubt at all that I also would confess such sentiments in your regard.

But it isn't true for either of us.