Her father silently took his place at her side.

Oppressed and preoccupied, the sting of defeat unmitigated, he was struggling with the problem of the future.

The morrow with its hideous tragedy seemed both the end and the beginning.

One thing was clear to him, they must go away from Idle Hour where North had been so much a part of Elizabeth's life.

Nothing had been added to this decision when at length the train pulled into Mount Hope.
"We are home, dear," he said gently.
[Illustration: She abandoned herself to despair.].