I can see that everything is all right in a few
minutes. Is there anything you would like me to do for you?"
"No," she answered, looking up half frightened; "but I am afraid I ought
not to let you do this. You scarcely know me."
"Now, dear, no more of that. We have no time to lose. How long will it
take you to get dressed? Will half an hour do? It is getting late."
"Oh, it will not take long." She caught her breath with gladness. Her
companion's voice was so strong and comforting, his face so filled with a
wonderful love, that she felt dazed with the sudden joy of it all.
The elevator boy appeared in the doorway with the familiar suit-case.
"Don't be afraid, dear heart," whispered the young man, as he attended her
to the elevator. "I'll soon be back again, and then, _then_, we shall be
together!"
It was a large front room to which the boy took her. The ten-dollar bill
had proven effective. It was not a "fifty-cents-a-night" room. Some
one--some guest or kindly patron--had put a small illuminated text upon
the wall in a neat frame. It met her eye as she entered--"Rejoice and be
glad." Just a common little picture card, it was, with a phrase that has
become trite to many, yet it seemed a message to her, and her heart leaped
to obey.
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