At Love's Cost

"He has loved her all the time; and I am a purblind ass not to have

seen it!" he said to himself, with cynical self-contempt, as he climbed

up to his rooms.

They were modest but comfortable rooms in Picadilly--and he struck a

match before he opened the door; but it was not necessary for him to

have got a light, for there was one in the room already, and by it he

saw a long-limbed figure which had been sitting in his easy-chair, but

which rose and exclaimed: "Howard!"

Howard held his breath for a moment, then said, with exaggerated calm.

"I'm glad you found the cigars and the whiskey, Stafford. Have you been

waiting long: sorry to keep you."

Howard laughed as he wrung his friend's hand.

"I thought I should surprise you, old man; but I flattered myself,"

said Stafford.

"Nothing surprises me; but I'll admit to being rather pleased at seeing

you," drawled Howard, pushing him gently buck in the chair. "Have

you--er--walked from Australia, or flown?"

Stafford stared.

"Oh, I see! You mean I came so quickly on my letter? I started directly

after I posted it, but lost the mail at Southampton. I--I got a

restless fit, and was obliged to come."

"Got it now?" drawled Howard. "Or perhaps the journey has cooled you

down. Have you eaten? I can get something--"

"Yes, yes," said Stafford, rather impatiently. "Got dinner at the

hotel. I came on here at once: heard you'd gone to a dance, and thought

I'd wait. I want you to do something for me, Howard--I'll tell you all

my news some other time--not that there's much to tell: I'm well and

nourishing, as you see. I want you to go down to Bryndermere. I dare

not go myself--not yet. I want you to get all the information you can

about--about a lady: Miss Heron of Herondale--"

"How very strange!" said Howard innocently. "Do you know, I have just

had the pleasure of meeting a Miss Heron of Herondale--"

Stafford sprang to his feet.

"Where?" he demanded hotly.

"At Lady Clansford's ball, which I have just left. May I ask why you

are so interested in Miss Heron as to send me on such a mission?"

"I love her," said Stafford briefly. "I can not live without her--I've

tried, and I've failed. I've loved her since--oh, I can't tell you! I

want to know what she is doing. I want to know if she has forgotten me;

if there is any hope for me!"