rms around her neck, I
cried, "Oh, Emma, dear Emma, don't look so. I love you a great deal
better than I do Carrie Howard, and so I am sure does Mr. Evelyn."

I don't know how I chanced to think of Mr. Evelyn, but he recurred to
me naturally enough. All thoughts of him, however, were soon driven
from my mind by the sound of Emma's voice as she said, "Mollie,
darling, can you keep a secret?"

I didn't think I could, as I never had been intrusted with one, so I
advised her to give it to Anna, who was very fond of them. But she
said, "I am sure you can do it, Mollie. Promise me that you will not
tell them at home what you have seen or heard."

I promised, and then in my joy at owning a secret, I forgot the little
figures which waltzed back and forth before the old mine, I forgot the
woods through which we passed, nor was the silence broken until we
reached the lane. Then I said, "What shall we tell the folks when they
ask where we have been?"

"Leave that to me," answered Emma.

As we drew near the house we met grandmother, Juliet, Anna and Sally,
all armed and equipped for a general hunt. We were immediately
assailed with a score of questions as to what had kept us so long. I
looked to Emma for the answer, at the same time keeping my hand
tightly over my mouth for fear I should tell.

"We found more things of interest than we expected," said Emma,
"consequently tarried longer than we should otherwise have done."

"Why, how hoarse you be," said grandmother, while Sally continued,
"Starlight is a mighty queer time to see things in."

"Some things look better by starlight," answered Emma; "but we stayed
longer than we ought to, for I have got a severe headache and must go
immediately to bed."

"Have some tea first," said grandmother.

"And some strawberries and cream," repeated Sally; but Emma declined
both and went at once to her room.

Mr. Ashmore did not come home until late that night, for I was awake
and heard him stumbling up-stairs in the dark. I remember, too, of
having experienced the very benevolent wish that he would break his
neck! As I expected, Emma did not make her appearance at the breakfast
table, but about ten she came down to the parlor and asked to see Mr.
Ashmore alone. Of what occurred during that interval I never knew,
except that at its close cousin looked very white, and Mr. Ashmore
very black, notwithstanding which he soon took his accustomed walk to
Captain Howard's. He was gone about