The Hand Writing on the Wall It was November.

Nearly a year had passed since that day when the young man on the Golden State Limited--with the inheritance he had received from his mother's dying lips, and with his solemn promise to her still fresh in his mind--looked into the eyes of the woman on the platform of the observation car.

That same day, too, he first saw the woman with the disfigured face, and, for the first time, met the famous Conrad Lagrange.
Aaron King was thinking of these things as he set out, that evening, with his friend, for the home of Mrs.Taine.He remarked to the novelist that the time seemed, to him, many years.
"To me, Aaron," answered the strange man, "it has been the happiest and--if you would not misunderstand me--the most satisfying year of my life.

And this"-- he added, his deep voice betraying his emotion--"this has been the happiest day of the year.

It is your independence day.