e knew I wanted him to do," and then was struck with
the doubtful tone in which it was said.

"What did you say?" her mother asked, for Elizabeth had just entered the
door.

"Nothing. I hate this wedding!"

"Well, now, I like that, after all I've done to give you a good time," the
mother said angrily.

"No, ma; you mean to give yourself a good time. You make me come home when
I don't want to, and you ask people I hate to have, and then you leave out
the people I want most. It isn't my wedding. I'm going to stand up and be
married so as to get rid of it all, but John won't have the minister I
want, you won't have the people I want, I'm most sure pa 'll kick up some
kind of a row about it--and--and I was so happy till you came and made me
consent to it. What did you do it for?"

"Do it for? You ungrateful child! What did I do it for? I'll tell you,"
Mrs. Farnshaw's eyes hardened into momentary coals of fire. "I did it
because I don't like your whole goings on. Minister? Why don't you say
preacher, like the rest of your folks? It's that Hornby woman. She made
you talk of divorces----" At thought of all her supposed wrongs at the
hand of Susan Hornby Mrs. Farnshaw broke into a half scream and ended by
throwing herself into a chair by her daughter's side and clinging to her
hand with her upturned face streaming over with tears, her mouth convulsed
with pain till speech was impossible.

Moved to repentance at the sight of the pang she had caused, Elizabeth
fell on her knees by her mother's side, and with her arms encircling her,
cried contritely:

"I didn't mean it, ma, really--that is, I didn't mean it that way. Don't
mind what I said. I do love you."

Mrs. Farnshaw clung to her, so shaken by sobs that she still could not
speak, and the penitent daughter soothed and comforted her with her own
heart breaking at the thoughtlessness of her speech.

"Put it away and don't remember it; I didn't mean it. I'm tired to
death--and--and----" She pondered a moment and then made the experiment.
"And I want to speak of Aunt Susan to you. I can't bear to have you feel
so bad about me liking her. She hasn't put a single notion into my head.
Be good and get acquainted with her. She'd like to have you. If you knew
her you'd know how different she is from what you think. I'll take you to
see her the very first time you come to see me. Say you will."

Elizabeth stroked the thin hair back from the passion-worn face, and
waited for h