It's too cool for you out here," he said, and took her hand and walked with her to the steps.

She was blinded by her weeping, and he helped here to the veranda, but he stopped on a lower step where his face was on a level with hers, and dropping her hand, he said, "Well, good night, Molly--good night--" and as he half turned from her, he said in the same voice, "Good-by." He went quickly down the walk--a tall stalwart figure, and he carried his hat in his hand, and wiped his forehead as he went.

At the gate he looked back and saw her standing where he had left her; he could still hear the pitiful sobs, but he made no sign to her, and she heard him walking away under the elms into the night.

When his steps had ceased she ran on tiptoe, holding her breath to silence her sobs, through the hall, up the stairs of the silent home to her room, and locked the door.

When she could not pray, she lay sobbing and groaning through a long night..