"Good-bye for a while, dear. God keep you in all dangers of the road—and—and in all the far greater dangers that may come to you at the end of it. My love to Joy! Be good to her, and never forget that she can suffer most through any one dear to her. Bring her home to me, safe and—and happy! I …" Her voice broke and she wept on his shoulder. Colonel Ogilvie was a determined man, and in some ways a harsh and cruel one; but he was a man, and understood. He took his wife in his arms and kissed her fondly, stroking her dark hair wherein the silver threads were showing. Then he passed out in silence.
By the door of the car he found Judy who said:
"I have put in your supper—you will want it dear—and also supper for the men. And oh! Lucius, don't forget, for poor Joy's sake, that this day you hold her heart—which is her life—in your hand!"
This added responsibility filled the cup of Colonel Ogilvie's indignation. Already his conscience was quickening and his troubles—the agitation to his feelings—were almost more than he could bear. He would have liked to make some cynical remark to Judy; but before he could think of anything sufficiently biting, the motor which had been throbbing violently started.
Before the angry man could attempt to get back his self-possession he was gazing past the two shrouded figures before him and across the luminous arc of the lamps out into the night. The darkness seemed to sweep by him as he rushed on his way to Scotland.
When he had gone Judy turned to her sister and said: "I was going to give him Joy's dressing bag and a change of dress to take with him. She will want them, poor dear, after a long day of travel and a night in a strange place. But I have thought of a better plan."
"And that?" asked the anxious mother.
"To take them myself! Moreover it won't be any harm my being present in case the Colonel gets on the
