for
looking up, she met his eyes, wearing an expression, such as chased all
further words from her lips, and made her forget entirely what it was
that she was going to say next.

"Don't you suppose," began the young doctor rather hurriedly, "that it
is very pleasant for me to know that I saved you any pain, and don't you
know that I wish I might feel that you would give me the right to do so
always? don't you, Beatrice?"

"Oh--I--don't know;" stammered Bea, with a foolish little quaver to her
voice, and dropping her face clean out of sight, yet making no
resistance when she found her hands imprisoned.

"Please look at me," was the first request, in very tender tones. "I
need some encouragement. Won't you give me a little? If you love me ever
so little, dear, won't you put your hand in mine again?"

Bea dropped her head still lower, all in a tremor of happy, shy delight,
and looked at the hand which he had released, and was waiting to claim
from her. Should she give it? She knew she would, even while she
hesitated, for didn't she love him from the top to the bottom of her
devoted little heart? Yes, of course she did. And didn't she foolishly
think that the loveliest music in heaven could never be more delightful
to listen to than his voice asking for her love? To be sure she did. Oh,
it's wonderful how such times affect us all!

"I'm waiting, Beatrice," said Dr. Walter, with a very proper degree of
beseeching impatience. "Don't you love me any, darling?"

Up came her head with a little flash of courage, giving him one glance
of the shy, happy eyes, then down it went again, as she held out her
hand, and felt it covered with an eager firmness, while something was
said close to her rosy ear that did well enough for her to hear, but
cannot be told to you.

It is wonderful how much time Miss Lottie managed to consume in putting
on a single wrap--a fleecy covering over her head; but she realized the
importance of keeping out of the way a while, so loitered and chatted
and admired the moon-lit view from the windows, and finally started
slowly down stairs, fervently hoping that the important words had been
spoken.

They evidently had, for both parties looked so happy, and when the
doctor bade the twins good night, it really seemed as though he would
shake their hands off, in the excess of some feeling that possessed him;
and there is no mistake about it, he certainly kissed Bea in the shadow
of the vines, as he said t