part, but be sure I was the happiest creature in the world then."

And Phebe hid her face again, all wet with tender tears that fell soft
and sudden as a summer shower.

Rose let them flow undisturbed while she silently caressed the bent
head, wondering, with a wistful look in her own wet eyes, what this
mysterious passion was which could so move, ennoble, and beautify the
beings whom it blessed.

An impertinent little clock upon the chimneypiece striking eleven broke
the silence and reminded Phebe that she could not indulge in love dreams
there. She started up, brushed off her tears, and said resolutely: "That
is enough for tonight. Go happily to bed, and leave the troubles for
tomorrow."

"But, Phebe, I must know what you said," cried Rose, like a child
defrauded of half its bedtime story.

"I said, 'No.'"

"Ah! But it will change to 'yes' by and by, I'm sure of that so I'll
let you go to dream of him. The Campbells are rather proud of being
descendants of Robert the Bruce, but they have common sense and love you
dearly, as you'll see tomorrow."

"Perhaps." And with a good night kiss, poor Phebe went away, to lie
awake till dawn.

Chapter 8 BREAKERS AHEAD

Anxious to smooth the way for Phebe, Rose was up betimes and slipped
into Aunt Plenty's room before the old lady had gotten her cap on.

"Aunty, I've something pleasant to tell you, and while you listen, I'll
brush your hair, as you like to have me," she began, well aware that the
proposed process was a very soothing one.

"Yes, dear only don't be too particular, because I'm late and must hurry
down or Jane won't get things straight, and it does fidget me to have
the saltcellars uneven, the tea strainer forgotten, and your uncle's
paper not aired," returned Miss Plenty, briskly unrolling the two gray
curls she wore at her temples.

Then Rose, brushing away at the scanty back hair, led skillfully up to
the crisis of her tale by describing Phebe's panic and brave efforts to
conquer it; all about the flowers Archie sent her; and how Steve forgot,
and dear, thoughtful Archie took his place. So far it went well and Aunt
Plenty was full of interest, sympathy, and approbation, but when Rose
added, as if it was quite a matter of course, "So, on the way home, he
told her he loved her," a great start twitched the gray locks out of
her hands as the old lady turned around, with the little curls standing
erect, exclaiming, in undisguised dismay: "Not seriou