And in addition to all that she is enduring much grief and anxiety." "May I ask on what account ?" "Yes; I have no objection to telling you the whole story, considering what old acquaintances we are, and the life-long friendship of our mothers.
Lester Leland, Elsie's betrothed, is lying very ill in Rome, and we are making all haste to join him there." "Her betrothed!" cried Philip, starting to his feet, "her betrothed did you say?
why--why, I've always expected to marry her myself; thought it was an understood thing in both families, and----" "I am sure I do not know upon what grounds you entertained such an idea," returned Edward in a tone of mingled indignation and disgust.
"Grounds, man! I'm sure it would seem the most natural thing in the world--each the eldest child of intimate and dear friends--and I have never made any secret of my preference for her----" "Which amounts to nothing unless it had been reciprocated." "Reciprocated! I've always thought it was, and delayed speaking out plainly only because I considered myself safe in waiting to grow a little richer." "In which you were egregiously mistaken.

Now let me assure you once for all, that Elsie never has and never will care for any man in that way but Lester Leland." At that Philip turned and walked rapidly away.

"I'd rather have lost all I'm worth!" he muttered to himself.

"Yes; every cent of it.

But as to her never caring for anybody else if that fellow was out o' the way, I don't believe it.