light in her eyes had, at last, brought conviction to his soul. He
began to fear--with a mighty pain--that she would not retreat from
the stand she had taken.

She went on board with Mrs. Harbin and Ethel. There were other
wives on board who had found temporary release from irksome but
voluntary enlistment. Jane's resignation from the Red Cross society
deprived her of the privileges which would have permitted her to
see much of Graydon. They were kept separated by the transport's
regulations; he was a common soldier, she of the officer's mess.
The restrictions were cruel and relentless. They saw but little of
one another during the thirty days; but their thoughts were busy
with the days to come. Graydon grew stronger and more confident
as the ship forged nearer to the Golden Gate; Jane more wistful
and resigned to the new purpose which was to give life another
colouring, if possible. They were but one day out from San Francisco
when he found the opportunity to converse with her as she passed
through the quarters of the luckless ones.

"Jane, I won't take no for an answer this time," he whispered
eagerly; "you must consent. Do you want to ruin both of our lives?"

"Why will you persist, Graydon? You know I cannot--"

"You can. Consider me as well as yourself. I want you. Isn't that
enough? You can't ask for more love than I will give. To-morrow
we'll be on shore. I have many things to do before I am at liberty
to go my way. Won't you wait for me? It won't be long. We can be
married in San Francisco. Mr. and Mrs. Cable are to meet you. Tell
them, dearest, that you want to go home with me. The home won't be