ever
taking her eyes from the boy's pale face. When Chester finished, she
nodded.

"We've got it all now. There's nothing more behind, Salome. It would
have been better for you to have told as straight a story at first,
young man."

Chester knew that, but, having no reply to make, made none. Miss
Salome looked at him wistfully.

"But, with it all, you didn't do right to run away, Chester," she said
firmly. "I dare say your aunt was severe with you--but two wrongs
never make a right, you know."

"No'm," said Chester.

"You must go back to your aunt," continued Miss Salome sadly.

Chester nodded. He knew this, but he could not trust himself to speak.
Then did Clemantiny arise in her righteous indignation.

"Well, I never heard of such nonsense, Salome Whitney! What on earth
do you want to send him back for? I knew Harriet Elwell years ago, and
if she's still what she was then, it ain't much wonder Chester ran
away from her. I'd say 'run,' too. Go back, indeed! You keep him right
here, as you should, and let Harriet Elwell look somewhere else for
somebody to scold!"

"Clemantiny!" expostulated Miss Salome.

"Oh, I must and will speak my mind, Salome. There's no one else to
take Chester's part, it seems. You have as much claim on him as
Harriet Elwell has. She ain't any real relation to him any more than
you are."

Miss Salome looked troubled. Perhaps there was something in
Clemantiny's argument. And she hated to think of seeing Chester go. He
looked more like Johnny than ever, as he stood there with his flushed
face and wistful eyes.

"Chester," she said gravely, "I leave it to you to decide. If you
think you ought to go back to your aunt, well and good. If not, you
shall stay here."

This was the hardest yet. Chester wished she had not left the decision
to him. It was like cutting off his own hand. But he spoke up
manfully.

"I--I think I ought to go back, Miss Salome, and I want to pay back
the money, too."

"I think so, too, Chester, although I'm sorry as sorry can be. I'll go
back to Upton with you. We'll start tomorrow. If, when we get there,
your aunt is willing to let you stay with me, you can come back."

"There's a big chance of that!" said Clemantiny sourly. "A woman's
likely to give up a boy like Chester--a good, steady worker and as
respectful and obliging as there is between this and sunset--very
likely, isn't she! Well, this taffy is all burnt to the saucepan and
clean ruined--but what'