oulder and was at
peace.

Chiming out above the notes of the wood-robin and the thrush there
came the faint and distant notes of the quarter hour striking on the
college library. It was Leslie who heard it. Howard was still too far
upon the heights to think of earthly duties yet awhile.

"Howard! Isn't this your Class Day? And haven't you a part in the
exercises? Why aren't you there?"

He turned with startled eyes, and rising color.

"I couldn't stay, Leslie. I was too miserable! I had to come after
you. You promised to be with me to-day, you know----"

"But your Class Poem, Howard! Quick! It must be almost time to read
it----!"

He took out his watch.

"Great Scott! I didn't know the time had gone like that!"

Leslie's fingers were already at work with the other canoe, tying its
chain to the seat of her own.

"Now!" she turned and picked up her paddle swiftly, handing Howard the
other one. "Go! For all your worth! You mustn't fail on this day
anyway! Beat it with all your might!"

"It's too late!" said the man reluctantly, taking the paddle and
moving to his right position.

"It's not too late. It _shan't_ be too late! _Paddle_, I say, _now_,
ONE--and--TWO--and----!"

And they settled to a rhythmic stroke.

"It was so wonderful back there, Leslie," said Howard wistfully. "We
oughtn't to let anything interfere with this first hour together."

"This isn't interfering," said Leslie practically, "it's just duty,
and that never interferes. Here, we'll land over there and you beat it
up the hill! I'll padlock the boats by that old tree and follow, but
_don't you dare_ wait for me! I'll be there to hear the first word and
they'll have waited for you, I know. A little to the right,
there--_now_--step out and _beat it_!"

He obeyed her, and presently came panting to the audience room, with a
fine color, and a great light in his eyes, just as Halsted was
slipping down to inquire of Allison:

"Where in thunder is Letchworth? Seen him anywhere?"

"Heavens, man! Hasn't he showed up yet?" cried Allison startled.
"Where could he be?"

Julia Cloud beside him leaned over and quietly drew their attention to
the figure hastening up the aisle. Halsted hurried back to the
platform, and Allison, relieved, settled once more in his seat. But
Julia Cloud rested not in satisfaction until another figure
breathlessly slipped in with eyes for none but the speaker.

Then into the eyes of Julia Cloud there came a vision as