t I wish I were going with you!"

Marmaduke gave him a poke with his peg leg. Like every one else in
Orchard Glen he liked Wallace.

"And how is Lord Sutherland?" he asked in return, "I hear you're
gettin' brain fag studyin' the latest novels."

Wallace did not deign to notice this. "Miss Tilly," he exclaimed, "I'm
sure you've some letters for me away back there, now haven't you?"

Tilly flew to the little wicket and came tripping back with her hands
full, her cheeks pink, her curls bobbing.

"Just one for the Doctor, and one for your mother, and only papers for
you," she cried apologetically.

He leaned over the counter, "Come now," he said coaxingly, "are you
quite sure you haven't hidden mine away somewhere?"

"She's forgotten to write to you, I guess she's got another fellow,"
giggled Tilly.

Christina turned towards the door. She wished with all her might that
she could talk and joke with him as Tilly did, but even if she could
there was no opportunity. He did not seem to notice she was there.

"Come along, girls," she said to Maggie and Bell, "I'm going home and
you can drive up the hill with me if you like."

Marmaduke, who had been in a hurried whispered conference with the two
girls, rose and hobbled after them, the light of a great inspiration
dancing in his eyes.

Christina climbed into her old buggy as Wallace came out on the veranda
followed closely by Tilly.

"Look here, Christine," cried Marmaduke, winking solemnly at her,
"you're goin' to get your neck broke one o' these days, drivin' that
mare, with the road full o' cars. What does John mean lettin' you?"

"Dolly!" cried Christina in amazement, "why she wouldn't--" she caught
a frantic warning wink from Trooper's dancing eyes and paused. If the
boys were playing some prank on Maggie and Bell it would be too bad of
her to spoil it.

"She's dangerous, Christine," put in Trooper, "I've seen her actin'
like a wild cat on the road. There was a girl killed the other day
over in Grey County. Horse took fright at a Ford and ran away and
busted everything!"

"Mercy, me!" cried Bell Brown, who had her foot on the buggy step and
now jumped back. "I wonder if there'll be any cars coming along before
we get home?"

"There's a big car full o' town folks visitin' up at McKenzies due to
be along here any min'it," cried Marmaduke nervously. "You better stay
here till it passes, Christine."

"Well," said Christina, still doubtful of her pa