our sort, and yet to have the
kind of heart that makes wonderful melodies sing in itself--oh!" she
cried, "I say that is fine!"

"You do not understand," he returned, sadly, wishing, before her, to
be unmercifully just to himself. "I came here because I couldn't make
a living anywhere else. And the 'wonderful melodies'--I have known you
only one evening--and the melodies--" He rose to his feet and took a few
steps toward the garden. "Come," he said. "Let me take you back. Let us
go before I--" he finished with a helpless laugh.

She stood by the bench, one hand resting on it; she stood all in the
tremulant shadow. She moved one step toward him, and a single, long
sliver of light pierced the sycamores and fell upon her head. He gasped.

"What was it about the melodies?" she said.

"Nothing! I don't know how to thank you for this evening that you have
given me. I--I suppose you are leaving to-morrow. No one ever stays
here.--I----"

"What about the melodies?"

He gave it up. "The moon makes people insane!" he cried.

"If that is true," she returned, "then you need not be more afraid than
I, because 'people' is plural. What were you saying about----"

"I _had_ heard them--in my heart. When I heard your voice to-night, I
knew that it was you who sang them there--had been singing them for me
always."

"So!" she cried, gaily. "All that debate about a pretty speech!" Then,
sinking before him in a deep courtesy, "I am beholden to you," she said.
"Do you think that no man ever made a little flattery for me before
to-night?"

At the edge of the orchard, where they could keep an unseen watch on
the garden and the bank of the creek. Judge Briscoe and Mr. Todd were
ensconced under an apple-tree, the former still armed with his shot-gun.
When the two young people got up from their bench, the two men rose
hastily, and then sauntered slowly toward them. When they met, Harkless
shook each of them cordially by the hand, without seeming to know it.

"We were coming to look for you," explained the judge. "William was
afraid to go home alone; thought some one might take him for Mr.
Harkless and shoot him before he got into town. Can you come out with
young Willetts in the morning, Harkless," he went on, "and go with the
ladies to see the parade? And Minnie wants you to stay to dinner and go
to the show with them in the afternoon."

Harkless seized his hand and shook it fervently, and then laughed
heartily, as he accepted the