Albuquerque, New Mexico. 
   To JOHN HENRY SMITH, Woodvale: 

   If you wish to see your Uncle Henry alive come at once.

   DR. L.L.  CLARK.

I had an hour in which to get ready to catch the last train to the city and make the proper connections.  I called my man and gave him the necessary instructions.

Then I began a search for Miss Harding.  I suddenly resolved to declare my love that day if the opportunity presented.  I was delighted when I found her alone in the library.

She did not hear me as I softly entered the room.  She was seated near a window, an opened book in her lap but her gaze was not on its print and it was evident her thoughts were far away.

I gently touched her shoulder, thinking to surprise her.  I shall never forget the changing expressions in her eyes as they met mine.

“I beg pardon, Miss Harding,” I began.  “I am—­”

She rose to her feet, the book falling to the floor.  Her pretty head was erect, her shoulders thrown back, her eyes flashing and her face deadly pale.

“Do not address me, sir!” she exclaimed, drawing away from me as if I were some repulsive animal.

I stood transfixed!  I knew she was not dissembling.  I could not think; I could not speak!  The floor seemed flying beneath my feet, and I must have reeled.

“Leave me, sir!  Leave me, sir, and never speak to me again!”

My voice came back to me.

“But, Miss Harding, there must be some mistake!” I stammered.  “I beg of you—­”

“There is no mistake!” she cried with intense bitterness, pushing past me.  “If you were a gentleman you would grant the last request I shall ever ask of you!”

I stood as in a trance and watched her sweep proudly from out the room.  I fell back into the chair she had vacated.  I do not know how long I remained there or what tumultuous thoughts crashed against me like breakers storm-lashed on a rock-girt shore; I only know that my man found me there and told me that my train was due in fifteen minutes.

I went to my room and changed my golf for a travelling suit.  The next I remember is that I was on the train rushing toward the city.

[Illustration:  “She rose to her feet”]

No sleep came to my eyes that long and awful night as the miles spun out which separated me from the one I loved so madly.  Yes, I loved her then, and I love her now!

Like a caged and wounded animal I paced the narrow confines of my stateroom.  Ten thousand times I asked for the disclosing of this pitiful mystery, and ten thousand times a mocking laugh came back in the roar and shriekings of the train.  The car wheels chuckled in rhythm, the airbrakes hissed in derision and the engine whistle hooted in scorn.

It was daybreak when I threw myself on the couch and closed my eyes.  I think I slept for an hour or so.  To my surprise and disgust I found when I awoke that I was hungry.  I had thought I should never care to eat again.