“It is indeed,” was the answer, as Mr. Ray glanced lovingly at his sister. Miss Ray was talking with Dollie and had not heard their words, but she came over and joined them before Marion could answer.
“My poor sister Ada is heartbroken,” she said, sadly. “Just think! She has lost her lover, and all through me. I feel terribly about it, and yet I think she is lucky.”
“She is indeed!” said her brother, promptly, “I can’t imagine a fellow being such a cad as to throw over a sweet girl just because of something unpleasant in the life of her sister.”
He looked at Marion as he spoke, and as their eyes met she blushed charmingly. Such eloquent glances as Mr. Ray’s needed no interpreter of their meaning.
“Oh! I despised him as soon as I read of it!” broke in Dollie, impulsively. “She is well rid of him, poor girl. I hope she will get over it quickly.”
“If a brother’s love will help her to forget him, he will not be remembered long,” said Mr. Ray, nobly.
Marion gave him a glance that set his blood to tingling. He was radiantly happy to see how well she understood him.
The girls all wept as they said good-by, and even the young man’s eyes looked suspiciously moist as he took leave of the two sisters.
Miss Ray slipped something into Dollie’s hand at the last. Dollie tried to remonstrate, but was checked emphatically.
“A reminder of my gratitude to your sister,” Miss Ray whispered; “but for her I would still be living a life of disgrace and torture. She saved me. I can never forget it!”