Page:The Mystery of Central Park.djvu/167

Rh grateful to you for allowing me to imagine I have been of service to you."

"You have been better to me than any one on earth," she said, vehemently, her eyes burning into his. "You have often said there was no gratitude in the world, so I won't say I would like to prove my gratitude to you, but some day—I'll wait. The day will come when I can show you what I feel."

"My dear child," he said, softly, his eyes moist, for he was much touched by the girl's words, "only be happy and that knowledge will make me happier."

Dido looked down and was silent. Presently two tears chased each other down over her cheeks and splashed on her slender hands, folded pathetically in her lap.

"Why, Dido, child!" Dick said, startled.

She raised her brown eyes, wet with tears, to his frank blue ones, and her lips were quivering pitifully. He took her hands,