"Just conversationing with yourself?" he asked.

"Yes. Poor company's better than none. Sit down, Mr. Greeley; you're
always welcome."

"I brought some news. Crothers' factory is plumb burnt to the ground."

"Land sakes!" ejaculated the little doctor in the idiom of her home
town; "any damage besides the factory?"

"Crothers is right used up. They say he tipped over the lamp in his
hurry to get up and--things happened."

"Dear suz!" Marcia Lowe was lapsing into old-fashioned speech.

"And Miss Lowe, little Miss Cynthia was thar after hours! They do say
she acted like she was possessed. She pulled Crothers out of the
flames and saved his life I reckon--that is, if it _is_ saved! He
ain't perked up much yet, 'cording to reports. But Miss Lowe--little
Miss Cyn ain't come home! I'm tumble feared lest she went back again
for something, and----"

Miss Lowe got up from her chair and cautiously motioned Tod to the
doorway of the lean-to.

"Look!" she whispered. Greeley expected still to see Martin, but
instead he saw the delicate, sleeping face of Cynthia Walden. He drew
back with a stifled cry.

"That there room o' yours," he faintly said when he reached the
fireside again, "is right nerve-racking. It's like one of them
Jack-boxes at Christmas."

"She only stopped here because she was tired. When she awakens I will
take her home," explained Miss Lowe.

Greeley was nonplussed, but when he was in doubt he turned the subject
and talked more than usual.

The following day Cynthia was taken home. Providence and the strain
and excitement saved her from serious harm, but when Marcia Lowe left
her by the gate of Stoneledge there seemed to be something tragic in
the fact that after such an experience, no explanations were necessary.
Ann Walden was past any earthly worriment, and Sally Taber could not
understand then, or ever, the soul-hurt little Cynthia had received.

"It's good friends now and always, little Cyn?"

"Yes, dear Cup-o'-Cold-Water Lady!"

They stood by the dilapidated gate.

"And you will come often to Trouble Neck?"

"Right often."

"And you are not afraid? Remember I have a care over you."

"I am not afraid."

"Then kiss, little Cyn, and God bless you."

On her way home Marcia Lowe stopped at the church to rest and "talk it
over with Uncle Theodore."

The golden winter sunset streamed through the window and lay bright and
fair like a shining way up to the altar. Marcia walk