ure, because John had confided to his chum, that Anne was waiting
to hear definitely about the school in New York City, and upon her going
there depended many other important things.

Tom smiled knowingly to himself, as he was sure one of the "many things"
to John was his proposal to Anne. Every one felt more or less interested
in the expectant letter, and when it finally arrived, Anne had a circle
of anxious friends waiting to hear the verdict.

"Well, I've been accepted and I am to report at the address in New York
on September twenty-fifth," said Anne, hastily scanning the short note.

"Hurrah! That means we go with you!" shouted Eleanor, catching hold of
Anne and dancing her about.

Polly looked very glum. "Anne, how does your going effect my school
plans?"

"You can talk about school some other time, Poll, but Tom and I have to
start back to camp to-morrow, and _I_ want to know from Anne just how
her going effects _me_?" demanded John, looking her in the eyes.

Anne smiled bravely back at him and said: "Just what I told you. I must
help Paul complete his college course, then I will be free to sign other
agreements."

"Meanwhile, I am to go on plodding through classes and camp without
knowing whether or not I am ever going to be rewarded!" grumbled John,
so discouraged that every one felt sorry for him.

"One doesn't plod through studies or work, for mere reward. Polly says
she wants to study for the love of it, and Eleanor wants to go into
business for the love of _that_! It is the only way one can succeed,"
ventured Mrs. Brewster, more to fill up an embarrassing gap in the
conversation than for anything else.

John turned sullenly and stamped away. He continued down the trail to
the Cliffs and was soon lost to sight. The girls then coaxed Anne to
come away with them as they had a plan to ask her about.

Mrs. Brewster waited until every one was gone his or her way, then she
ran after her son. No one knows what was said or done, then or during
the day but that night, as they all sat at supper, John stood up and
smiled.

Jeb was just passing with a basket of newly laid eggs, and Sary was
leaning over Mr. Brewster's back with a deep dish of milk-toast that she
expected to place before him. John coughed significantly, and Sary
stopped to listen.

"I'm going to announce good news to you-all, to-night. I finally
persuaded Anne to promise to be my wife, someday. So she goes to New
York City as my fiancee, a