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clear kindly eyes that were just now smiling too。
When he took off his hat she saw that his hair was cut rather
closely； and very neatly brushed and combed； and she found his
smile so compelling and so winning that in spite of her
disappointment she found herself returning it。
It occurred to her that she had some time or another seen some one
like this stranger； but when or where she could not imagine。
Still he did not speak； but his eyes were very tender and kind as
they rested on her so that she wondered a little。
〃Yes？〃 she said inquiringly。 〃Yes？〃
〃Don't you know me；。 Ella？〃 he said then； very softly； and in a
voice that she recognized instantly。
〃Is it you … you？〃 she breathed。
Instinctively she lifted her hands to greet him； and at once she
found herself caught up and held； pressed passionately to his
strongly…beating heart。
***
An hour later； by the fire in the sitting…room； Ella suddenly
remembered tea。
〃Good gracious！ You must be starving；〃 she cried； smitten with
remorse。 〃And there's poor mother waiting upstairs all this time。
Oh； Rupert； are you very hungry？〃
〃Starving；〃 he asserted； but held her to him as closely as ever。
〃I must get the tea；〃 she protested。 She put one cheek against his
and sighed contentedly。
〃It's nice to see the really you；〃 she murmured。 〃But oh； Rupert；
I do miss your dear bristly beard。〃
End