er paused.

"Tut--tut, Mr. Canler; unless--what?"

"Unless, you see fit to request that Jane and I be married at once,"
said Canler, slowly and distinctly.

"I have already suggested to Jane that it would be desirable," said
Professor Porter sadly, "for we can no longer afford to keep up this
house, and live as her associations demand."

"What was her reply?" asked Canler.

"She said she was not ready to marry anyone yet," replied Professor
Porter, "and that we could go and live upon the farm in northern
Wisconsin which her mother left her.

"It is a little more than self-supporting. The tenants have always
made a living from it, and been able to send Jane a trifle beside, each
year. She is planning on our going up there the first of the week.
Philander and Mr. Clayton have already gone to get things in readiness
for us."

"Clayton has gone there?" exclaimed Canler, visibly chagrined. "Why
was I not told? I would gladly have gone and seen that every comfort
was provided."

"Jane feels that we are already too much in your debt, Mr. Canler,"
said Professor Porter.

Canler was about to reply, when the sound of footsteps came from the
hall without, and Jane entered the room.

"Oh, I beg your pardon!" she exclaimed, pausing on the threshold. "I
thought you were alone, papa."

"It is only I, Jane," said Canler, who had risen, "won't you come in
and join the family group? We were just speaking of you."

"Thank you," said Jane, entering and taking the chair Canler placed for
her. "I only wanted to tell papa that Tobey is coming down from the
college tomorrow to pack his books. I want you to be sure, papa, to
indicate all that you can do without until fall. Please don't carry
this entire library to Wisconsin, as you would have carried it to
Africa, if I had not put my foot down."

"Was Tobey here?" asked Professor Porter.

"Yes, I just left him. He and Esmeralda are exchanging religious
experiences on the back porch now."

"Tut, tut, I must see him at once!" cried the professor. "Excuse me
just a moment, children," and the old man hastened from the room.

As soon as he was out of earshot Canler turned to Jane.

"See here, Jane," he said bluntly. "How long is this thing going on
like this? You haven't refused to marry me, but you haven't promised
either. I want to get the license tomorrow, so that we can be married
quietly before you leave for Wisconsin. I don't care for any fuss or
feathers,