“Editha, you were rightly named. Do you know what it means?” “No; I never even thought to ask if it had a meaning.” “It means happiness. Who gave it to you?” “Uncle Richard said that he named me.” Editha answered, with a thoughtful, far-away look in her eyes. “It must have been an inspiration, for I believe you bring happiness to every one with whom you come in contact,” Earle said, in tones of intense feeling. “Then you _are_ happy, Earle, in spite of all?” Editha asked, lifting her head and regarding him wistfully. “My darling—my darling, I cannot tell you how happy; the very best of earth’s treasures should be laid at your feet, if I had them, to testify to it, and I trust the day is not far distant when I shall be able to bring you a goodly measure of them,” he returned, folding her closer. “You have brought me the most precious one in all the world to-day, Earle—your dear love,” the fair girl answered, softly, and almost awed by the strength and depth of his affection for her. “Ah! if I did not need to go away!” Earle said, with a sigh. “I, too, wish that you did not—the time will seem long until you return,” Editha returned, regretfully; then she added, suddenly: “Is it absolutely necessary that you should go?” “Yes; it cannot be avoided. If I were sure of success I would tell you the nature of the business which calls me abroad; but you can trust me a little longer?” “Always.” “And would you, some time in the future, be willing to go abroad to live if it was necessary?” Earle asked, with a peculiar expression on his face. “Anywhere in the world with you, Earle, if need be;” and, with a tender smile, Editha laid both her hands on his. It was as if she was willing to renounce everything in the world for him and his precious love, and the act touched him as nothing ever had done before. He bowed his manly head until his lips rested upon them in a fervent, reverent caress. At that instant the door near which they were sitting swung softly open, and before they were aware of his presence, Mr. Dalton had entered, and was standing before them. He had come in a few minutes previous, and the waiter had told him that Earle Wayne was there, which intelligence so enraged him that he determined at once to put a stop to all further visits from him. Whether he had been guilty of listening before entering the room they could not tell, but certain it is that he presented himself before them with a most disagreeable smile upon his face and a glitter in his steel-gray eyes that boded them no good. CHAPTER XV A FATHER’S THREAT “Ah! Mr. _Wayne_!” with a peculiar emphasis upon his name that somehow startled Earle. “Quite an interesting occasion. Pray, Miss Dalton, are you in the _habit_ of entertaining your callers in this extremely—ah—_amazing_ manner?” he demanded, with a cold sneer.