man who
was inviting her to share it with him, and a glad little thrill ran
through her. When Elizabeth began to sum up her blessings she began to be
ashamed of having suspected John Hunter of duplicity in writing the
letter.

"He told me he had no higher desires on earth than to do things for me,"
she said, springing up and starting home with a song in her heart.

Mrs. Farnshaw, called to the door by the barking of the dogs, exclaimed:

"What in this world brings you home at this time of day?" Mrs. Farnshaw's
hands were covered with the dough of her belated Saturday's baking.

"Just had to come, mummie; just had to come," Elizabeth cried, giving her
mother a rapturous little hug.

Mrs. Farnshaw ducked her head to avoid the manoeuvre, saying petulantly:

"Look out! Can't you see I'm in th' flour up t' my elbows."

Elizabeth flicked her dress sleeve and laughed in merry derision.

"Kansas flour brushes off easily, ma," she said, "and I've got something
to tell you."

The corners of Mrs. Farnshaw's mouth twitched in a pleased effort to cover
a smile.

Elizabeth was surprised at her own statement. She had not exactly intended
to tell her mother at this time and could not understand herself in having
put the idea forth, that she had come all the way home to tell something
of importance. She sat down and leaned her elbows on the littered kitchen
table too confused to speak for a moment. She had made the plunge; there
was no other excuse for the trip that she could think of at that time,
and, with a feeling that Aunt Susan had been defrauded of something
distinctly belonging to her, Elizabeth broke the silence with the bald
statement.

"Mr. Hunter and I are going to be married."

"Well, Lizzie, that ain't much news; we seen it comin' weeks ago," the
mother replied with a laugh.

"You did? I don't see how you knew," the girl said, startled out of her
confusion.

"What's he been comin' here so steady for?" Mrs. Farnshaw replied,
scraping the side of her bread pan with a kitchen knife, and ready to
enter into this delightful bit of argument. Lizzie was doing well for
herself.

"Lots of girls have steady company and don't get married either," the girl
replied hesitantly.

"Oh, yes, but this is different," the mother said. "When's it goin' t'
be?"

"Some time in October," Elizabeth said, her words dragging. She had
consented, but the mere mention of the time made her shrink.

"Is th' house done?" Mrs. Farns