Swiftly she disrobed, tearing the veil in her haste and throwing the

shimmering white garments to one side as though she hated the sight of

them. Taking from her jewel casket the engagement ring which had been

laid aside for the wedding ceremony, she quickly shut it within its own

case, to be returned as early as possible to the giver; it seemed to

burn her fingers like living fire.

A few moments later her aunt, entering her room, found her dressed in

one of her favorite house gowns,--a camel's hair of creamy white. She

looked at Kate, then at the discarded robes on a couch near by, and

stopped speechless for an instant, then stammered,-"Katherine, child, what does this mean?"

"It means, auntie," said Kate, putting her arms about her aunt's neck,

"that there will be no wedding and no bride to-day."

Then, looking her straight in the eyes, she added: "Really, auntie, deep

down in your heart, aren't you glad of it?"

Mrs. Dean gasped, then replied, slowly, "Yes; it will make me very glad

if you do not have to marry that man; but, Katherine, I don't

understand; what will your father say?"

Before Kate could reply there was a heavy knock at the door, which Mrs.

Dean answered. She came back looking rather frightened.

"Your father wishes to see you, Katherine, in your library. Something

must have happened; he looks excited and worried. I don't know what

he'll say to you in that dress."

"I'm not afraid," Kate replied, brightly.

A moment later she entered the room where less than half an hour before

she had left Darrell. Mr. Underwood was walking up and down. As Kate

entered he turned towards her with a look of solicitude, which quickly

changed to one of surprise, tinged with anger.

"What is the meaning of this?" he demanded, looking at his watch; "it is

within an hour of the time set for your wedding; you don't look much

like a bride. Do you expect to be married in that dress?"

"I am not to be married to-day, papa; nor any other day to Mr. Walcott,"

Kate answered, calmly.

"What!" he exclaimed, scarcely comprehending the full import of her

words; "isn't the matter bad enough as it is without your making it

worse by any foolish talk or actions?"

"I don't understand you, papa; to what do you refer?"

"Why, Mr. Walcott has just been called out of town by news that his

father is lying at the point of death; it is doubtful whether he will

live till his son can reach him. He has to take the first train south

which leaves within half an hour; otherwise, he would have waited for

the ceremony to be performed."

"Did he tell you that?" Kate asked, with intense scorn.




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