e,
you're going to marry my daughter. Why did you lie to me about this
young woman's name?"

Mrs. Milo went to take her place beside her son. "Do you mean," she
demanded, "that you're both trying to find my dear boy at fault?--to
cover someone else's wrongdoing." She stared at Farvel defiantly.

"Please, mother!" Wallace pushed her not too gently aside. Then he
faced the other men, his features working with the effort of control.
"Well, it--it was for--for Miss Crosby's sake," he explained. "I knew
she didn't want to be found--I knew it because she was so scared when
she saw me, and ran. And--and then Hattie; you know Hattie's never
cared an awful lot for me. And I was afraid--I was afraid she
might--she might wonder----" He choked.

"_Hattie,_" repeated Balcome.

A strange look came into Farvel's eyes. "What has Miss Balcome to do
with it?" he asked.

"Nothing! Nothing!"--it was Clare. She gave Wallace a warning glance.

"I thought it might worry her," he added, weakly.

Farvel seemed to sense a falsehood. "You can't convince me," he said.
"You've known the truth all along--ever since she went away. And you
know why she went.--Don't you? _Don't_ you?" Again his voice rose.
He advanced almost threateningly.

"No! No! I swear it!"

"No!" echoed Clare.

"This is disgraceful!" cried Mrs. Milo, appealing to Balcome.

"Oh, go home, mother!" entreated her son, ungratefully.

Sue added her plea. "Yes, let's all go. Because you're all speaking
pretty loud, and our hostess is a lady of considerable curiosity.
Come--let's return to the Rectory."

"Susan!" stormed Mrs. Milo. Then, more quietly, "Please think of your
mother's wishes. Mr. Farvel and Mr. Balcome are right. Let us clear
up this matter before we return."

Clare burst into a loud laugh. "Ha-a-a! Talk about curiosity!" she
mocked. And went back to her chair.

Sue reddened under the taunt. "Well, I, for one, don't wish to know
your private affairs," she declared. "So I'm going."

"Susan!--You may leave the room if you desire to do so. But you will
remain within call."

"I'd rather go home, mother."

"You will obey me."

"Very well."

"Mm!" Mrs. Milo, plainly gratified, seated herself in the rocker.

"If there's anything I can do for you, Miss Crosby, just ask me." Sue
forbore looking at Farvel. She was pale again now, as if with
weariness. But she smiled.

Clare did not even look round. Beside her was the can