bowed to Soma and advanced to the
door. As he passed us, he glanced at
V;trl, ami being detected, made a move
ment of apology and went on. It was
enough I knew him. With a rapid move
ment, I placed myself before the door,
and stretching out my arms, cried out
passionately :
" ' Philip ! dear Philip, forgive me !'"
"Roma, with delicate divination and
tact, withdrew Pearl to an inner painting-room,
and there, and so, we met and
knew each other again."
" He had suffered also?"
"Who can tell how much? He had
been in California ; he had been rich and
become poor ; he had gained much and
lost everything ; he had been in captivity
to Indians, and been shipwrecked; he
had known the extremes of poverty and
sickness. When I found him he was
earning a scanty living as a painter's
model. '
" And now you are happy?"
"Yes, indeed! God has given me ths
opportunity I have been praying long
for. Y'et, remember, because of my
foolishness I have begun to be happy
about twenty years too late."
"About Pearl?"
"She knows all."
" Are you pleased with her choice?"
" Soma has given me back my, hus
band. I may well give him in return my
daughter. I am content."
I kissed her tenderly and went silently
home. Henceforth I had higher thoughts
about marriage than such as centered in
upholstery and millinery matters.
Picture of a Pretty Woman.
