started the car.

"Allison--I think maybe you needn't worry----" she said softly. "You
know Jane is--REAL! She isn't weak like some people. She won't go all
to pieces like--well, like I would. God means something to her, you
know."

"I know!" said Allison gravely, gently. "Thank you, kid! Well. I get
off here. Meet me at the top of the second hill in half an hour, and
hang around there for a bit. I may whistle, see? So long."

He dashed off between the buildings and disappeared between the trees
in the edge of the woods. Leslie whirled off down the drive to the
street. As she passed the big stone gateway, ivy garlanded and sweet
with climbing roses, three seniors turned into the drive, and the
foremost of the three was Howard Letchworth. Her heart leaped up with
joy that here was someone who would understand and sympathize, and she
put her foot to the brake to slow down with a light of welcome in her
eyes, but before she could stop he had lifted his hat and passed on
with the others as if he were just anyone. Of course he had not seen
her intention, did not realize that she wanted to speak with him, yet
it hurt her. A week or two before she would have called after him, or
even backed the car to catch him, but now something froze within her
and with her heart beating wildly, and tears scorching her eyes, she
put on speed and whirled away up the hill. It seemed to her that all
her lovely world was breaking into pieces under her feet. If it had
not been that she was worried about Jane, she would have been tempted
to abandon everything and rush off in some wild way by herself,
anywhere to be alone and face the ache in her heart. It was such a
torrent of deep-mingled feelings, hurt pride and anger, humiliation,
and pain--all these words rushed through her mind, but there was
something else besides, something that ought to have been beautiful
and wonderful, and was only shame and pain, and she had not yet come
to the point where she was willing to call that something by name. She
knew that soon she must face the truth and have it out with herself,
and so her cheeks flamed and paled, and the tears scorched and hurt in
her eyes and throat, and she tried to put it all away and think about
Jane, poor hurt Jane. Jane gone into the woods to have it but with
herself. But Jane was strong and Jane trusted in God. Her God was
strong, too! Jane would come through only the sweeter. But what would
become of her--little, fiery, tempestu