His own heart was near bursting with the new life that throbbed within it.

When he raised his eyes to his companion's face again there was a light in them that spoke almost as plainly as words.
"You haven't accepted my price, yet, Neil," he replied quietly.

"I asked you if you'd--be--a sort of brother--" Neil sprang to his side with a fervor that knocked the pipe out of his hand.
"I swear that! And if Marion doesn't--" Suddenly he jerked himself into a listening attitude.
"Hark!" For a moment the two ceased to breathe.

The sound had come to them both, low, distant.

After it there fell a brief hush.