“A few weeks ago, in New York, a young lady loaned me some negatives to copy. She had made them with her camera while out in the mountains last summer, she said. Among these negatives were such charming views of a young girl, that I fell in love with the pictures as soon as I made them. I did not rest until I found out where the girl lived, her name, and, in short, all there was to learn about her. Then I took the train for West Virginia, and on arriving at Alderson I started out the same morning to find you, Leola; for, of course, you have guessed it was yourself! Directly my horse took fright; and only fancy my feelings when I saw you coming toward me on your white pony, a perfect vision of youth and joy and beauty, and realized that a horrible death might thrust us apart in another fatal moment. You saved my life, and can you wonder I look upon you as my fate--the fairest fate that ever life gave to a man?” He paused, pressed the hand he held again ardently, and added, musingly: “How strangely everything has come about! I thought I should have to get acquainted with you in a very proper way, and go through a ceremonious courtship before I proposed, but fate took it all out of my hands. Now, what have you to say to this, my dear girl? Will you let me hope to win your love?” “It is yours already,” Leola confessed, with exquisite frankness; then, as he rapturously kissed her trembling hand, she exclaimed, in wonder at herself: “Oh, perhaps you think I am too lightly won when I do not even know your name!” “That can be remedied very soon. Call me Ray Chester, an artist, who wishes he were richer for your sweet sake.” “Then you are poor?” Leola questioned, gravely. “Do you regret it?” he asked, sadly. “I--I--don’t know. Cousin Jessie always advised me never to marry poor. It is Jessie Stirling, I mean. She loaned you the negatives, did she not?” “Yes; but I am sorry she put such notions in your pretty head. Perhaps you will take back your promise, learning I am poor.” “Oh, no, no, no! Never! I could not marry any one without love, but Jessie says she would take a fright if he had a million dollars. However, she has ‘hooked,’ so she says, a big fish, rich, and young, and handsome, too, and she wants, when she is married, for me to visit her so she can make a grand match for me.” “I will save her the trouble,” said Ray Chester. “Love in a cottage will be our portion, my darling, but you are so lovely that I shall paint a picture of you that will perhaps make my fortune!” Suddenly a shadow clouded her lovely eyes. She had remembered for the first time her guardian’s threat of yesterday. “You look sad, Leola. Are you repenting your promise already?” her lover cried, anxiously. “I shall never repent. I believe you are my fate!” the girl exclaimed, earnestly, and to herself she thought: