CHAPTER XI.
CHRISTMAS MORNING Christmas morning broke with a sprinkle of snow, and an icy wind that blew from the north, promising a heavier fall ere the day was over.
Jeff was late in descending, and he saw that the door of Doris's room was open as he passed.

He glanced in, saw that the room was empty, and entered to lay a packet that he carried on her dressing-table.

As he did so, his eyes fell upon an envelope lying there, and that single glance revealed the fact that it was addressed to him.
He picked it up, and, turning, cast a searching look around the room.
Across the end of the great four-poster bed hung the black lace gown she had worn the previous evening, but the bed itself was undisturbed.

He saw in a moment that it had not been slept in.

Sharply he turned to the envelope in his hand, and ripped it open.