Part 56 (1/2)

DEAR CHILDREN,

To say good-by is more than I will to bear. G.o.d bless you both! I go at once.

JOHAN GRAF VON EHRENSTEIN.

There were tears in the Pearl's eyes.

”He told me he would not say good-by. And is that his real name, Rene?

No, it is not; I know that much.”

Rene smiled. ”Some day,” he said, ”I shall tell you.”

In a few minutes came his honor, Mr. Justice Wilson, saying: ”I feared to be late. Madame,” to Margaret, ”here is a remembrance for you from our friend.”

”Oh, open it!” she cried. ”Ah, if only he were here!”

There was a card. It said, ”Within is my kiss of parting,” and as she stood in her bridal dress, Rene fastened the necklace of great pearls about her neck, while Madame de Courval looked on in wonder at the princely gift.

Then the Judge, taking them aside into Schmidt's room, said: ”I am to give you, Vicomte, these papers which make you for your wife the trustee of our friend's estate, a large one, as you may know. My congratulations, Vicomtesse.”