THE SACRIFICE.
At the same moment some one came softly through the cottage gate and looked up and down the road, as if watching for some one else.
As Mary Grey came round the carriage to the front of the house, she recognized in the watcher Craven Kyte, who at the same instant perceived her.
"Wait here for me," she said to the frightened coachman, as she walked rapidly toward the man who was hurrying to meet her.
"My darling! I have been waiting for you so long!" he said, seizing her hand.
"Hush! The coachman might hear you," she whispered. "Let me come in."
He drew her arm within his own and led her into the cottage, and into a cool, well-lighted and tastefully-furnished parlor.
Poor fellow, he had not only put in a few necessary articles of furniture for his own sleeping-room, but he had fitted up a pretty parlor for her reception, and provided a dainty feast for her entertainment.
To do this in time, he had worked like a mill-horse all day long, and he had spent all his available funds, and even pawned his watch and his little vanities of jewelry to raise more purchase-money.
And now he felt rewarded when he saw her look of surprise, which he mistook for a look of pleasure.