“Perhaps I can,” he thought, and began a letter, which gave him a great deal of care, it would seem, as he rewrote it two or three times, erasing here and there, making additions and reading it over very carefully. With all his pains, it did not suit him, and, with an exclamation of disgust, he tore it up. “Better let matters drift than try to arrange them. She might not listen to me,” he said, and taking a fresh sheet of paper, he dashed off a few hurried lines, took the diamond ring from his finger, put it in a small box with the folded note, and going out upon the piazza, smoked and thought until midnight. The next morning Elithe was to leave, and after breakfast he said to his landlord, “I am going to Helena for a few days,” and, taking his hand-valise, started for the station. The Hansfords were all there, Elithe, with tears in her eyes, which she tried hard to keep back. Her father had hoped to find or hear of some one who was going at least a part of the way, and to whose care he could confide her, but had been unsuccessful. Elithe, who knew nothing, feared nothing, and declared herself perfectly competent to go alone, and, as there was no alternative, her father had consented to it, knowing there was no real danger to be incurred. His aunt had sent money sufficient to defray the expense of a sleeper, but Elithe preferred the common car, she said. She was young and strong, and would rather give the extra money to her father and mother. That she would take a sleeper after the first night Mr. Hansford was sure, and did not press the matter. The sight of Mr. Pennington at the station buying a ticket filled him with alarm, but when told that he was only going as far as Helena on business and would return in a few days, he felt relieved than otherwise that Elithe would have an escort so far. She was glad that she was not to start upon her long journey entirely alone, and put on quite a cheerful face when she at last said good-bye and left her father and mother and brothers standing upon the platform of the station, kissing their hands to her until a turn in the track hid them from view. CHAPTER XII. ON THE ROAD.