"Some one he's sent," she said to herself. "He doesn't want to
come himself and so he has sent some one else instead. I am glad."
Having said this and repeated again the last three words, and having
gulped down a sob--presumably of joy--that unexpectedly fluttered
into her throat, she went quickly to open the door.
The newly-arrived stranger smiled at her as she showed herself but
did not speak. He was a man of middle height, quite young, and
wrapped in a big, loose overcoat that very completely hid his figure.
His face, clean-shaven, showed clear, strongly-marked well-shaped
features with a firm mouth round which at this moment played a very
gentle and winning smile, a square-cut chin, and extremely bright,
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.
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