andfather! Of course Anne
will want to know all about it, and maybe it is my duty to find out
why! Anyway, if the chance comes to me, well, I won't shut my ears.

"Speaking of Webb and riding over from North Hero, Claire, I did the
most dreadful thing, and if I tell you, you must swear that you won't
ever tell Anne, though goodness knows when either of us will see dear
old Anne again. We'd driven along for miles and hadn't seen a
soul--even the cows in the pastures weren't moving--when suddenly,
around a corner, dashed a man on horseback. He went by us like a
flash, but I could tell even with all the dust, that he rode well and
was very handsome and sort of different from--well, Webb, and the
people you'd _expect_ to see on North Hero Island. I was curious--you
know, I always am--and I turned around. And what do you think he
did--he wheeled that horse around and stopped dead still to stare at
us, and caught me turning, of course, though I was just curious because
he seemed different. And that isn't all--he had the nerve to wave his
hand and here's the confession! _I nodded back to him!_ I always am
so impulsive and it seemed so good to see someone that was young. And
he did have the grandest eyes even through the dust. But here's the
worst--I asked Webb who he was, and Webb said he was '_Judson's hired
man!_' Oh, Claire, what would Anne have said!

"Well, of course, the fellow had his nerve, and if I ever see him again
I shall show him his place and make him understand that I am a
dignified, unapproachable young person.

"Oh, Claire, dearest, I wish I was with you at Merrycliffe. You don't
know how lucky you are to have a jolly home and a jolly mother who
knows how to love! That's the trouble here--they act as though it was
a crime to show a spark of affection. Aunt Milly comes the nearest to
it, but I don't believe the others _know_ what love is.

"Write to me often, for it will help keep up my courage, and I will
keep you posted as to all that happens to poor me--especially about the
hired man. I can't wait to see him.

"Once your happy and now your perfectly miserable used-to-be Nancy.

"To be known for the present as,

"ANNE LEAVITT."

CHAPTER V

BIRD'S-NEST

"Joshua Leavitt was Justin's son and he married Abigail Clark over at
Isle Le Motte, and they had three sons, Joshua and John and Jacob, all
upright, settled young men. Let me see, it was either John or Jacob
was killed in th