And now permit me to add, my dear Miss Levison, that to obey your father's will in this matter would be the very best and wisest course you could pursue." "Thanks, Mr.Kage; I know that you are a faithful friend to our family; but--I must have a little time to recover," murmured Salome, faintly.
"Here, you may remember my dear Salome, that when I told you of this letter in the possession of Mr.Kage, I said that I thought I knew its purport from certain conversations I had held with your late father.

He had hinted to me the dangerous condition of his health, and he had expressed a hope that no accident to himself should be permitted to postpone our marriage; and then he told me that he had left a letter with his solicitor to be read in case of his sudden death, and that the letter would explain itself.

He concluded by begging me if anything should happen to him to necessitate the delivery of that letter to you, to urge upon you the wisdom and policy of following its direction.

He could not have given me a commission I should be more anxious or earnest in executing.

My dear Salome, will you obey your good father's wishes?
Will you give me at once a husband's right to love and cherish you ?" he added in a low whisper.
"Oh, give me a little time," she murmured--"give me a little time.