How late you are! It was not very wise of you to go out--being so tired--" She was hovering near him as though to help his weariness with her small offices; she took his hat, stood looking at him, then stepped nearer, laying both hands on his shoulders, and her face against his.
"I am--already tired of the--war," she sighed.

"Is it ended yet, Curt ?" "There is no more news from Sumter." "You will--love me--best--anyway.

Curt--won't you ?" "Do you doubt it ?" She only drew a deep, frightened breath.

For within her heart she felt the weight of the new apprehension--the clairvoyant premonition of a rival that she must prepare to encounter--a rival that menaced her peace of mind--a shape, shadowy as yet, but terrible, slowly becoming frightfully denned--a Thing that might one day wean this man from her--husband, and son, too--both perhaps----.
"Curt," she faltered, "it will all come right in the end.

Say it.
I am afraid." "It will come out all right," he said gently.