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 She looked up, halted for a moment as if unable to believe her eyes then stumbled, half fell toward him. He sprang to her in time to prevent her falling.

"My Darling," he murmured.

"Truman—Truman—Truman—" was all she could say. "God has answered my prayer."

Bennet lifted her tenderly and folded her to his shoulder where she lay her head, weeping silently. Bennet was too moved for words. He could only press his cheek to hers while his arms held her tightly till her spell of weeping exhausted itself. When her tears ceased to flow and her heart stilled its flutter, she looked up shyly into his face. Her arms folded tenderly about his shoulder and their lips met.

"How I've prayed and hoped you'd come, Dear. I have wanted you—needed you so," she sighed.

"I wrote you several times after getting your last letter. Not hearing from you I wondered what had happened and came down to see," was his simple explanation.

"Take me away, Truman. Take me away." Lida's eyes filled again as she spoke.

"After I've seen your father," said Bennet.

"Don't do that, please. He'll kill you.—He's said so. Please don't think of that," Lida begged in alarm.

"He got one of my letters asking you to come.—He's placed a guard over me—he wants me to marry someone else—don't you see?—don't you see it can't be that way," she cried wringing her hands.