r heeded
it; showers were almost daily occurrences, and excitement and
concentration ran high. Suddenly Sandy started back and pointed to a
small roll of bills--three one-dollar bills they were--but Sandy had
never put a piece of paper money in the box!

"That!" he whispered hoarsely; "how did that get here?"

Too late Cynthia saw her mistake. All the small savings and sacrifices
of her life she had exchanged that very day at the post-office for the
three bills. Tod Greeley had picked out the cleanest and newest, and
now they had betrayed her.

Sandy was on his feet at once, and a stern frown drew his brows
together; the bruise on his cheek stung as the blood rushed to it, and
then he waited.

Presently Cynthia rose to her feet and from her slim height faced Sandy
on the level--eye to eye.

"I put it there!" defiance and pride touched the words, "it means as
much to me as it does to you--the going away, I mean. I've thought it
all out--you'll have to pay it back--pay it as I want it."

Sandy's mind worked more slowly; gropingly he strove to understand.

"How did you get it?" he asked relentlessly.

Cynthia laughed a little.

"Just scratches and pricks--it was great fun! I've been gathering the
wool from the bushes under which the sheep go, for years and years;
ever since you began to save, Sandy. Lily Ivy sold the wool to the
darkies--and I got Mr. Greeley to change the pennies--for bills. It is
all mine, every bit!"

A mist rose to Sandy's eyes--it almost hid that pure flower-like face
shining under the dark trees.

"You mustn't be mean, Sandy; besides, you are to pay it all back."

"How?" That word was all Sandy could master for a sharp pain in his
throat drove all else he meant to say back.

"Why, you are going to set me free--you must marry me!"

Like a child playing with fire Cynthia heedlessly spoke these words.
They had no deeper significance to her than the lilt of a world-old
song. Marriage was the end-all and consummation of her magic stories
and, in this case, it had simply been a trifle more difficult to
consider on account of the social difference between Sandy and her.
However, that had been overcome by the wand of imagination. Sandy
would evolve into something so peculiarly splendid that the chasm could
be bridged!

The effect of Cynthia's words upon Sandy was tragic. He closed his
eyes in order that he might shut out the hurting power of her face and
commanding eyes--but be