uddenly pale cheeks.

Miss Mehitable sat down on the edge of the bed and patted her, while
Geraldine wiped the drops away with the long sleeve of Charlotte's
unbleached nightgown. "Then he won't, dear, don't you worry," she said
comfortingly. "Where's that courage you were talkin' about just now?"

"That was for myself," said the girl grievously, accepting the
handkerchief Miss Upton gave her.

"Who else does he want out o' that God-forsaken place?" asked Miss Upton
impatiently. "I wish to goodness that boy could stay put somewhere."

"It's a servant, a dwarf, a poor little friendless boy who was kind to
me there. If it hadn't been for him I shouldn't be here now. I should be
dying--there! Mr. Barry is going to get him and bring him away. Oh, why
didn't I prevent him!" Geraldine broke down completely, weeping
broken-heartedly into the handkerchief.

Miss Upton smiled over her head. She knew nothing of Rufus Carder's
shot-gun, and she was thinking of Geraldine's earnest request that Ben
Barry should forget her.

"Now, stop that right away, my child," she said, enjoying herself
hugely. She had seen Ben Barry's heart in his eyes as he came walking
under the apple blossoms yesterday and this revelation of Geraldine's
was most pleasing.

"Stop cryin'," she said with authority. "Ben Barry's just as smart as he
is brave. He ain't goin' to take any foolish risk now that you're safe.
I don't know what he wants the boy for, but probably it's some good
reason; and if you don't stop workin' yourself up, you won't be fit to
go to town to-morrow. I want you should stay in bed all day. Now, you
behave yourself, my lamb. Ben'll come back all right."

Geraldine flushed through her tears. It was heavenly to be scolded by
someone who loved her.

She looked at the pitcher exiled to the bureau. "I--I think you might as
well move the apple blossoms here," she said, wiping her eyes and
speaking meekly.

"All right," said Miss Mehitable, beaming, and she proceeded to set a
light stand beside the bed and placed the rosy mass upon it.

Toward night came a parcel-post package for Miss Geraldine Melody. Miss
Upton and Charlotte both stood by with eager interest while the girl sat
up in bed and opened it. None of the three had ever seen such a box of
bon-bons as was disclosed. It was a revelation of dainty richness, and
the older women exclaimed while Geraldine bowed her fair head over this
new evidence of thoughtfulness. The long slee