stems, now seemed useless in his eyes.

But Polly had not removed the roses from the box so she failed to find
the heart-shaped card that Tom had spent the whole afternoon in inditing.
Anne gave the box to Mrs. Brewster, and when that sensible mother took
the roses out, one by one, and found the card, she put it away with the
cards that had come with other flowers. She also forgot to mention the
card to Polly, so the girl never knew that Tom had written her of his
undying love. As Anne replied, for Polly, to all the cards, Tom received
the same sort of polite little note as others did, with Polly's name and
a "per A.B." signed to it.

Finding Polly so self-possessed that evening, Tom pulled himself together
with an effort, and tried to converse on various topics of general
interest. Anne eagerly assisted in the conversation, so Polly listened
without having much to say.

Tom tried to make Polly talk, too, but without success, so he became
silent and left most of the entertaining for Anne to do. But even she
found the task of finding subjects to interest two dumb people rather
irksome, and she decided on a _coup_.

"Excuse me for a moment, please, while I see if John has returned with
his father." So saying, Anne ran from the room.

Polly sat up and watched her go as if her protector had turned traitor.
She glanced at Tom in a half doubtful manner as if to ask what he would
do now with the chaperone out of the way?

But Anne's absence gave Tom's morbid senses an inspiration that he acted
upon without second thought. It was the best thing he could have done
with Polly in this baffling mood.

"I'm returning to Pebbly Pit, in a few days, Polly. I am actually
homesick for a sight of the dear old mountains."

Polly gasped. "Oh, no one told me you were leaving us. Jim told me that
he thought you might remain here for several months."

"Jim? What does that kid know about my affairs?" said Tom, impatiently.
"Besides, when did you see Jim?"

"Oh, Jim just dropped in for a minute this afternoon."

Tom felt the pangs of jealousy because his younger brother had been able
to see Polly before she would allow him to call. Then he remembered his
role to act the part of a platonic brother and friend.

Polly continued: "I think Jim is a dear boy. He is so fond and proud of
you, too. Why, when he was here he sat and talked of nothing else but you
and your loyalty to family, friends, and your work."

As Polly spoke, Tom felt