“The Philosopher met me at the boat and took me himself to a private hospital in London--a real A-1. You couldn’t imagine his doing all he _did_ do!”
“Oh!” cried Sylvia. “Then he knew you were alive all the time!”
“He knew I was alive but he didn’t know how soon I should be dead!” Jack replied. “I was very, very ill, dear! I had been wounded as well as starved--and there was plenty of reason for thinking I should never pull round. So the good old chap kept his own counsel. He did not tell my father or any one that I was alive and in England. Nobody knew. If the War Office knew, it didn’t tell! And the Philosopher made up his mind to keep his own counsel.”
“Oh, he might have let us know!” cried Sylvia almost indignantly. “He might have relieved all our sorrow and suspense!”
Jack caught and clasped her hands in his own.
“Now, now, Sylvia!” he said. “Don’t you mistake the old boy! I used to hate him!--but I know he’s one of the finest fellows living! Yes, truly! He used to come and see me, and talk to me--when I was able to listen--and he told me all about my father and about you--and he would say--‘If I explain things they’ll want to come and nurse you--and you’ll be nursed to death! If I hold my tongue they’ll be none the worse--and you’ll be spared all the emotional excitement and worry, and you’ll get well. And while you’re getting well I’ll be a sort of Cupid’s messenger.’”
Here Jack laughed, but there were tears in his eyes.
“Yes--a Cupid’s messenger,” he went on. “That meant that he would bring me all the news of _you_ whenever he could! He was a queer old ‘Cupid’s Messenger!’ but there couldn’t be a kinder sort of ‘Cupid’ anywhere! I was pretty slow in recovering--but it’s been ‘slow and sure’ with me--and with all the care and good things the learned Craig has been showering on me, why! I’m as fit as ever I was! And I certainly owe it to your old ‘Philosopher’--the man I begged you not to marry while I was away--do you remember?”
Sylvia looked up. Her lovely blue eyes were wet and sparkling but there was a glint of mischief in her smile.
“Shall I marry him now you are home again?” she asked.
For answer he caught her in his arms and held her close and fondly.
“You’ll marry me and no one but me!” he said, tenderly. “That’s settled!”