s to come again the
following Saturday evening and spend Sunday with them, he asked Kate to
walk a short distance with him. He seemed to be debating some
proposition in his mind, that he did not know how to approach. Finally
he stopped abruptly and said: "Kate, Mother told me that she told you
how I grew up. We have been together most of every day for six weeks.
I have no idea how a man used to women goes at what I want, so I can
only do what I think is right, and best, and above all honest, and
fair. I'd be the happiest I've ever been, to do anything on earth I've
got the money to do, for you. There's a question I'm going to ask you
the next time I come. You can think over all you know of me, and of
Mother, and of what we have, and are, and be ready to tell me how you
feel about everything next Sunday. There's one question I want to ask
you before I go. In case we can plan for a life together next Sunday,
what about my mother?"

"Whatever pleases her best, of course," said Kate. "Any arrangement
that you feel will make her happy, will be all right with me; in the
event we agree on other things."

He laughed, shortly.

"This sounds cold-blooded and business-like," he said. "But Mother's
been all the world to me, until I met you. I must be sure about her,
and one other thing. I'll write you about that this week. If that is
all right with you, you can get ready for a deluge. I've held in as
long as I can. Kate, will you kiss me good-bye?"

"That's against the rules," said Kate. "That's getting the cart before
the horse."

"I know it," he said. "But haven't I been an example for six weeks?
Only one. Please?"

They were back at Dr. Gray's gate, standing in the deep shelter of a
big maple. Kate said: "I'll make a bargain with you. I'll kiss you
to-night, and if we come to an agreement next Sunday night, you shall
kiss me. Is that all right?"

The reply was so indistinct Kate was not sure of it; but she took his
face between her hands and gave him exactly the same kind of kiss she
would have given Adam, 3d. She hesitated an instant, then gave him a
second. "You may take that to your mother," she said, and fled up the
walk.

CHAPTER XII

TWO LETTERS

NANCY ELLEN and Robert were sitting on the side porch, not seeming in
the least sleepy, when Kate entered the house. As she stepped out to
them, she found them laughing mysteriously.

"Take this chair, Kate," said Nancy Ellen. "Come o