ghly desirable, and
no other lover had as yet appeared. Of course, Mr. Coulson had gone,
declaring his exile would last a year, and then he would return. But
Miss Gordon had little faith in young men.

Annie had not fretted, only for a day or so--that was the strange
part--but their life together had never been the same. There were no
pretty, sweet confidences from her favorite, such as used to make Miss
Gordon feel young and happy, and lately Annie had been so silent and
yet with a face that shone with an inner light. Her aunt felt lonely
and shut out of the brightness of the girl's life. Much she wondered
and speculated. But Annie's firm mouth closed tightly and the steady
eyes looked far away when the young school-teacher's name was mentioned.

Well, it was a blessing the girl did not fret, the aunt said to
herself, for there was little likelihood of his returning. He had
probably forgotten all about her since last winter--young men were like
that. She sighed as she confessed it, remembering one who had declared
he would come back--but who had remained away in forgetfulness.

As she sat there in gloomy meditation, a rumbling noise made her look
up. A carriage was coming swiftly along Champlain's Road, one of those
smart buggies that came only from the town. It stopped at the gate,
and the driver, a young man, alighted. Elizabeth saw him, too, and
suddenly forgot her despondency. She had seen Annie but ten minutes
before, walking across the pasture-field towards Granny Teeter's. She
arose with a spring and went tearing through the orchard, bringing
forth indignant remarks from her studious brother and sister as she
flashed past. Annie had just reached the gate leading from the
orchard. Elizabeth flung herself upon her.

"Oh, Annie!" she gasped, radiant and breathless. "Somebody's coming.
And you'll never, never guess, 'cause it's Mrs. Jarvis, and she's
brought Mr. Coulson!"

CHAPTER XI

THE DREAM OF LIFE

"Miss Gordon is wanted in the Principal's room at once."

The Science Master of Cheemaun High School put his head in at the door
of the room where the "Moderns" teacher was instructing his class in
French grammar. There was a flutter among the pupils as a tall young
lady in a neat dark-blue dress arose. The flutter had something of
apprehension in it. Miss Gordon was a prime favorite--and this was not
the first time she had been summoned to what was known amongst her
schoolmates as