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Suspense.
257

"So he did! But here goes!"

The operator took the dispatches leisurely.

"Of course you know these may not get off this evening; perhaps they will, sometime tonight."

"Why not?" Philip asked, in dismay.

"The storm has broken our connections. They've been working on the line all day. It may be running as usual any hour now, or not until to-morrow."

Another set-back!

"Please do the best you can with them," he replied. "I will come down from the hotel after supper, to inquire."

They turned toward the post-office and sent the letters, and a card to the Probascos. There was some shopping that was absolutely necessary. That mild distraction was good for both of them. They bought whatever they needed, including a small trunk.

"Well, there's one good thing—we've money enough to get through quite a siege, Gerald. Mr. Marcy allowed us a wide margin over traveling expenses. We can wait and wait, here or elsewhere, without danger of being on the town."