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 creatures of the law. Where should he begin the search? It seemed an almost hopeless one. Her mother and uncle denied all knowledge of her. She had vanished, they said, leaving no trace behind. He could not communicate with the police authorities without strengthening the suspicions already entertained by them. Hero was his only confidant, and all that day the two men searched for the desperate woman, each in his own way. Philip failed to find Margaret at the studio when he called. He was grieved at this, but he felt confident that he should see her that evening. He would then tell her of the wealth of love in his heart,—hers, all hers,—more than ever woman was blessed with before.

And Margaret, unconscious of the hope and joy which she had given him, thought only of the story he had told her the night before and of the man who was its hero. For the first time in many days she went cheerfully about her house hold tasks, ordered her father's dinner, and superintended the house-work; and when Philip came, trembling with hope and love, to see her, she was in the kitchen making broth for Robert Feuardent. The sympathetic servant-maid who opened the door had compassion on his eager face, and instead of giving the curt "too much engaged to receive any one," told him smilingly that "Miss Ruysdale had gone out early with