Courthope looked back at the house which had been so dim and phantom-like the night before; the red sun lit the icicles that hung from eaves and lintels, tinged the drifts, glowed upon the windows as if with light from within, and turned the steep tin roof into a gigantic rose; but all his glance was centred upon his lady-love, who stood, regardless of the cold, at the entrance of the drift-encircled porch and watched them as long as the sunlight lay upon the land.  Was she looking at the plunging sleigh and at its driver, or at the chasms of light in the rent cloud beyond?  His heart told him, as he drove on into the very midst of the sunset which had embraced the glistening land, that the maid, although not regardless of the outer glory, only rejoiced in its beauty because the vision of her heart was focused upon him.  His heart, in telling him this, taught him no pride, for had he not learned in the same small space of time only to count himself rich in what she gave?

Slow was the progress of the great horses; they passed the grove of high elms and birches that, dressed in the snowflakes that had lodged in boughs and branches when the wind dropped, stood up clear against the gulfs of blue that now opened above and beyond.  Then the house was hidden, and after that, by degrees, the light of the sunset passed away.

THE END.

Printed by R. & R. CLARK, LIMITED, Edinburgh

* * * * *

ADVERTISEMENTS

A MAN OF HONOUR.

H. C. IRWIN.

Crown 8vo, cloth, price 6s.

’We have read many and many a story of the Indian Mutiny, but Mr. Irwin’s tale has novelty all its own.’—­Glasgow Herald.

’Much good and careful work marks “A Man of Honour.”  H. C. Irwin is a writer of thought and culture, who uses his experience of foreign travel to admirable purpose in an interesting book.’—­Black and White.

’All the characters are clearly presented, and you have no difficulty in knowing whether you like them or not; and that is a commendation in itself.’—­National Observer.

’The novel is well written, vigorous, and interesting, and will well repay reading, especially to those who like breezy, outdoor, active existence.’—­Scotsman.

’The interest is well sustained throughout, and once fairly embarked on the story, it requires no slight moral effort to lay down the book before finishing it.’—­Literary World.

’The description of Indian politics and events during the Mutiny years is well done, and the account of the battle of Chillianwallah and the time immediately preceding it is excellent’—­Standard.

’The literary qualities of the book are high, and the story itself has great merit and power, and can be heartily recommended as a book very well worth reading.’—­Aberdeen Free Press.