His Hour

He picked up a calendar which lay upon the table, and made the

calculations, then he jotted it all down on a card and handed it to

her.

She took it and never looking at him rose and made a step toward the

door, and as she passed the table where he had put her wedding ring she

surreptitiously secured it.

"I suppose you are staying for lunch?" she said in the same monotonous

voice. "Can I go now?--do you want to say any more?"

"Tamara!" he exclaimed, with entreaty in his tone, and then with quick

repression he bowed gravely and once more touched her hand with his

lips--ere he held open the door for her.

"I will be here when you return--I will await your pleasure."

So she left the room quietly. And when she was gone he walked wildly up

and down for a moment--then he bent and passionately kissed the cushion

she had leant on.

Tamara would learn what his love meant--when the day should come.