promptly but politely rejected, and won the girl's
contempt by asking for her friendship if he could not have her love. The
friendship, of course, was readily granted. She was eager to give that
much to all the world.

"I hope you will not speak of this, even to your father or mother," said
Williams. "Let it be hereafter as if I had never spoken. I regret that I
did speak."

Rita gladly consented to comply with his request, since she was certain
heart trouble would ensue, with probably fatal results, should her
mother learn that she had refused the young man with the true religious
nature.

Williams adroitly regained his ground by exciting Rita's ever ready
sympathy, and hoped to remain in the battle upon the plane of friendship
until another and more favorable opportunity should arise for a
successful attack. His was a tenacious nature that held to a purpose by
hook or by crook till victory crowned his efforts or defeat was
absolute.

Williams continued to visit Rita, and Dic did not return till Christmas.
During the last month of waiting the girl's patient longing was piteous
to behold. To see her brought grief to Billy's heart, but it angered the
Chief Justice.

Dic had written that he would be home by the middle of November, and
Rita had counted the days, even the hours, up to that time; but when he
did not arrive as expected, she had not even the poor comfort of
computing time, for she did not know when to expect him. Each day of
longing and fear ended in disappointment and tears, until at last, on
the day before Christmas, she heard from the lips of Sukey Yates that
Dic was at home. There was a touch of disappointment in receiving the
news from Sukey, but the news was so welcome that she was glad to have
it from any one.

Sukey had ridden over to see Rita. "Why, haven't you seen him yet?"
cried the dimpler, in surprise. "I supposed, of course, he would come
here first--before seeing me. Why, I'm quite proud."

"No," returned Rita; "I have not seen him."

"He'll come this evening, I'm sure," said Sukey, patronizingly. "I have
company to-night. He's looking well, though he was sick for three or
four weeks at an inn near Wheeling. His illness caused the delay in
getting home. I just thought he never would come, didn't you?"

Rita was too happy to be disturbed by insinuations of any kind, and
although she would have liked to be the first person to see Dic, she
paid no heed to Sukey's suggestive remarks.