[Illustration: A SWEET COMPANION. _From the Painting by M. STANLEY._] [Illustration: THE GIRL’S OWN PAPER VOL. XX.—NO. 1016.] JUNE 17, 1899. [PRICE ONE PENNY.] “OUR HERO.” BY AGNES GIBERNE, Author of “Sun, Moon and Stars,” “The Girl at the Dower House,” etc. [Illustration: “NEARER TO A CANDLE TO READ IT.”] _All rights reserved._] CHAPTER XXXVII. Denham found himself alone with Polly. He stood looking down upon her with a grave tenderness and questioning. Polly began to tremble. “We had no expectation of seeing you, sir,” she remarked with great decorum. She cast one little glance up. “Have you travelled hard? You are sorely fatigued.” “Polly, is all between us as it once was?” he asked. Polly dropped her eyes. “It is long since we parted,” she said, “and very long since any letter has reached me, sir. I cannot tell how matters may be now. But six years work changes. And I”—then another glance as if she could not help herself—“I do not like to see you so pale. You were not so in past days.” “There are a few matters to be explained,” Denham remarked quietly. “But first may I beg you to read this short note from Jack? I do not know what he may have said. He exacted from me a promise that I would not fail to give it to you within one half-hour of my first arrival. Jack is now at Verdun with Colonel and Mrs. Baron, as you may have heard.” “I did not know that. We heard only that Jack was prisoner. It has been a sad grief to me.” “Will you have his letter now?” asked Denham in his most courteous tone. “If you choose, sir.” She moved two or three steps nearer to a candle to read it. Jack’s left-handed hieroglyphics were not to be deciphered quickly. This was what she made out: “DEAR POLLY,—Denham is going home to you, and he has heard a false tale of your having forgot him. That is why he has not writ to you for so great a time. But I have assured him of your Unchanged Affection, and now I assure you of the same in him. Roy was in the right of the matter. Den has not altered, nor will he alter. But he has gone through much, and has been long ill, and the Death of our Hero has gone near to break his heart. So do not put on pretty airs, dear Poll, but comfort him, as you know how, for he needs your comfort; and the sooner you and he get married the better pleased shall I be, for he is in want of you. I’m by no means sure but that his has been a harder fight by far than any of us have had to go through in Active Warfare; and now that my turn has come, I hope that I may be patient and endure bravely as he has done. Be good to him, my dear Polly, and believe me, “Your affectionate Brother, “JACK KEENE.” Polly came across to where Denham stood. “Jack tells me of the mistake,” she whispered. “And now I understand. He tells me too that I am to comfort you.” She held out her hands, and he took them into his strong grasp.