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 Hepworth? He strode about the room, thinking it over, and at last went to bed, hopeful with new ideas. It seemed to him that his love was so great that nothing could stand in its way.

Upon the following day Hepworth detained Elisabeth in the parlour and spoke to her on the matter. He said that he was loth to re-open a subject so painful to her, but he had thought over her story and had come to the conclusion that it would be well for her peace of mind if she found out whether her husband were alive or dead.

"To live in doubt," he said, "must be terrible, Elisabeth; you said so, yourself, last night."

"Yes, sir," she answered; "but then I live in hope, too."

"Ah!" he said, "you are hoping that he will come back to you?"

"Yes," she said. "Yes—I am. But—oh! I'm afraid it's no use."

"Then why not find out all that you can?" he asked.