Alpine could never remember afterward in what words he told his story, it came on her so suddenly, it found her so unprepared, but presently she knew it all--knew that Kathleen, whose death had so softened her heart, was alive, and that but for some strange happening of fate, she would that moment be Ralph Chainey's beloved wife. With that knowledge, Alpine's heart grew cold as ice again; the old jealous hate revived. She could not speak for some moments, but sat staring with burning blue eyes at the unhappy young man, who was pouring out his whole heart. "Oh, Miss Belmont, think what an awful shock it was to me, losing her in that mysterious fashion. I have scarcely eaten or slept since, I have been so wretched, I employed detectives, but they seem to be all at sea. They even believe that I was mistaken--that it was not Kathleen Carew at all, but really Daisy Lynn, a lunatic. Miss Watts, from whom she had escaped, had been found, and she declared that the girl was her niece." A wild hope came into Alpine's mind, and she faltered: "I believe the detectives are right. Kathleen can not be alive. Remember we saw her in her coffin, cold and dead." "Not dead, for I have seen her alive!" he exclaimed. "Oh, Miss Belmont, do not discourage me--do not turn unbelieving ears to my story, for I swear to you that Kathleen Carew is alive to-night--alive, but given over to some fate, perhaps, worse than death!" Alpine's heart beat wildly as he fixed his great burning brown eyes so sorrowfully upon her face. Oh, God! she thought, what would she not give for Ralph Chainey to love her as he did Kathleen Carew, her hated step-sister! Some burning words of the Virginia poetess, Mittie Point Davis, came into her mind: "If your heart could throb for me, Even for a moment's space, With the love I feel for thee Gazing on that glorious face; If the passion that I feel Found response within your breast, Years of anguish could not steal Memories that I had been blest. "If those eyes so darkly glorious, Kindled as with mine they met, I could hold myself victorious Even though you did forget. I could give the lifelong passion Of a thousand meaner souls For one hour's brief adoration Over thine to sway control." Ralph Chainey did not dream what a wealth of love for him had blossomed into full flower in the young girl's heart. Men are blind, or they would never confide to one beautiful young girl the story of their love for another one. Few girls are noble enough to listen without being piqued and jealous.