"All the better. I can make my proposal in due form. By the way Steve I am going up Town to-morrow if you can spare me." "Certainly. But it is not to make arrangements to leave me is it?" "I should think not! I shall never go till you tell me Steve. No, I am going to see about some business of my own. Well I must dress. I hope you have a good dinner for me. I am very hungry." "You think of nothing but eating," said Stephen with a laugh. The dinner gave every satisfaction even to Herrick who was somewhat fastidious. But Ida had seen that a good cook was engaged, and the two men had nothing to complain of. Dinner over, Herrick supported Stephen into the library, and placed him on the sofa. Then he sat beside him and they smoked over their coffee and cognac. "But you must go to bed at half past ten," said Herrick sternly. "What a tyrant you are Jim. Hark, there are the girls." They came in looking charming, and in the best of spirits. It needed but a glance for Dr. Jim to see that Bess had said nothing about Joyce to her brother or sister. What a wise little woman she was! When Ida and Frank had seated themselves beside Stephen, Jim drew her into a remote corner of the room. "You said nothing about our adventure of to-day," he whispered. "No," she replied in the same tone, "I thought it best not to. And Mr. Joyce?" "You will not be troubled with him again. He has gone to town. I do not think he will come back. Santiago has gone also." "What about his threat against me?" "That is alright. I have his confession in my pocket." "Did he kill Colonel Carr?" "No! I have not yet solved that problem. But do not let us talk of these unpleasant things any more Bess. To-morrow you shall know all. In the meantime make yourself agreeable to me and tell me how much you love me. Come now. After this afternoon you cannot deny----" "I neither deny nor affirm," said Bess her face one glow of scarlet--but that might have been the fire---"you were not in earnest to-day." "Indeed I was. Can't you see that I love you with my whole heart and soul! I never knew until to-day how much I did love you." "I thought it was Ida?" faltered Bess. "I thought so too for a period of madness. But I know now that I was mistaken. We are the best of friends as you can see. But you have not replied to my question." "What do you want me to say?" "That I am the dearest man in the world, and that you have loved me for ever so long. Come now?" "It is true," said Bess sinking her voice. "I have loved you. I do love you and I am thankful to be your wife." "I am a poor doctor remember." "I love you for yourself, not for any money you may have." "Faith," said Herrick, "that is lucky for me! Come here. Behind this screen--there now." "Oh! Dr. Jim--No--Very well. Jim, without the doctor. Do not go on like this. We are not alone." "Will you come into another room?" teased Jim. "Certainly not. Jim what are you doing?"