Twice did Mr. Davis attempt to speak before he felt he had assumed control of his voice. It was not pity, nor sympathy, however, which stirred his soul. It was fear—fear lest she should detect his confusion; fear lest her friend should prove to be the same girl whom he had met only once before—five years before. But then, if she were the same, he had changed so greatly that surely she would not remember him. An invalid sister! Could it be possible that after all she—she—was still living! Surely, she had died—he was positive! Perhaps there had been a third sister—there must have been; still ...
“What are you thinking of so seriously?” asked Bess, as his prolonged silence made her turn from the window.
“I was thinking, my dear, of how—of what I have to tell you. I have received word from Washington to come there at once. Undoubtedly it is business concerning my—resignation, which I recently submitted. I fear it may keep me from you for several weeks, and that my return may be impossible before the tenth of October.”
“Oh! you need not mind. I am sure that Berenice and I shall be able to enjoy ourselves,” said Bess, carelessly. If he felt any chagrin at her indifference he did not exhibit it when he bade her good-bye. As the man remounted his horse and rode away he did not see the interested pair of eyes watching him through the curtains.
As much as he dreaded being parted from his love for several endless weeks, still he felt thankful that he would not be obliged to meet Berenice Morton until shortly before the wedding, as there might be a possibility of his being recognized, and should such be the case he feared the consequences. As it was, he was taking a long chance, and unless something unforeseen should occur he must face the inevitable meeting.
“Ah,” he thought, “why not, after I am gone, try to persuade her to come to me? I can easily find some excuse which will make her coming to me imperative!”
As he hastened on he already tried to formulate some plan whereby his return would be unnecessary, and consequently an embarrassing meeting might be eliminated.