He should never darken the future that lay pictured in those radiant eyes.

But this was a moment of agony nevertheless.

Ralph was following the funeral of the mightiest passion of his soul.

He got up and opened the door.
"Good night, and God bless you!" he said huskily.
"One moment, Ralph.

Did you see two men, strangers, on the road to-night?
Ah, I remember, you came in at the back." "Two friends of Joe Garth's," said Ralph, closing the door behind him.
When he reached his own room he sat for some minutes on the bed.