Part 41 (2/2)

He shrugged his shoulders

”I a to one, and an easy painless death beckoning o ho, but sank back in the corner of the carriage, covering her face with her hands; and he saw that her breast was heaving with the painful sobs struggling for exit

He bent over towards her, and touched her arm

”Marion,” he whispered

She started fro, and her eyes flashed as her hands fell into her lap

”Don't touch me!” she said wildly ”You arethem nearer and nearer to their fate, as both sat back in silence now--she trele to devise so into a dull, stolid state of deterht, he was resolved never to leave her now

At last the train slowed up to the station where the tickets were taken, and Marion handed hers

”I have no ticket,” said Chester, quietly, handing the -office I got in at Bineleigh

This lady will bear me out”

The e Then the train glided on once reat ter?” Chester asked

”No,” she said quietly; ”I'll take a cab”

Chester summoned one, and handed her in

”Where do you wish to be driven?” he said

”Home”

”May I come with you, or must I follow in another cab?” he asked

”I am at your mercy, Dr Chester,” she replied sadly

He hesitated for a moment, then told the driver the na in

Marion drew a deep catching breath as he took his seat by her side, and then remained silent till they reached the familiar doorway Here, in the hted and handed out his coether, Chester reaching out to pull the bell

”No,” she said, speaking in a quick, startled tone of voice, and he looked at her wonderingly, for she opened the door with a latch-key, stepped in, holding the door with one hand and extending the other

”Now,” she said firood-bye”

For answer he stepped forith a sently, but with sufficient force to ive way, and his foot was on the step