ot afraid of anybody."

"Gently, gently, child. I don't intend to desert the lovers, but I
certainly shall advise them to consider well what they are about. I'll
own I am rather disappointed, because Archie is young to decide his life
in this way and Phebe's career seemed settled in another fashion. Old
people don't like to have their plans upset, you know," he added more
lightly, for Rose's face fell as he went on.

"Old people shouldn't plan too much for the young ones, then. We are
very grateful, I'm sure, but we cannot always be disposed of in the
most prudent and sensible way, so don't set your hearts on little
arrangements of that sort, I beg," And Rose looked wondrous wise, for
she could not help suspecting even her best uncle of "plans" in her
behalf.

"You are quite right-we shouldn't, yet it is very hard to help it,"
confessed Dr. Alec with a conscious air, and, returning hastily to the
lovers, he added kindly: "I was much pleased with the straightforward
way in which Phebe came to me this morning and told me all about it, as
if I really was her guardian. She did not own it in words, but it was
perfectly evident that she loves Archie with all her heart, yet, knowing
the objections which will be made, very sensibly and bravely proposes
to go away at once and end the matter as if that were possible, poor
child." And the tenderhearted man gave a sigh of sympathy that did Rose
good to hear and mollified her rising indignation at the bare idea of
ending Phebe's love affairs in such a summary way.

"You don't think she ought to go, I hope?"

"I think she will go."

"We must not let her."

"We have no right to keep her."

"Oh, Uncle, surely we have! Our Phebe, whom we all love so much."

"You forget that she is a woman now, and we have no claim on her.
Because we've befriended her for years is the very reason we should not
make our benefits a burden, but leave her free, and if she chooses to do
this in spite of Archie, we must let her with a Godspeed."

Before Rose could answer, Aunt Plenty spoke out like one having
authority, for old-fashioned ways were dear to her soul and she thought
even love affairs should be conducted with a proper regard to the powers
that be.

"The family must talk the matter over and decide what is best for
the children, who of course will listen to reason and do nothing ill
advised. For my part, I am quite upset by the news, but shall not commit
myself till I've seen Jessie an