in and started him on his
return trip to San Francisco feeling very much better. Peter would not
allow Linda to drive him home at night, so he left her after the Bear
Cat had been safely placed in the garage. As she stood on the walk
beside him, strongly outlined in the moonlight, Peter studied Linda
whimsically. He said it half laughingly, but there was something to
think about in what he said:

"I'm just picturing, Linda, what a nice old lady you will be by the time
that high school kid of yours spends four years in college, one on the
continent, and the Lord knows how many at mastering a profession."

Linda looked at him with widened eyes.

KATY UNBURDENS HER MIND

"Why, what are you talking about, Peter? Are you moonstruck?" she
inquired solicitously. "Donald's only a friend, you know. I love him
because he is the nicest companion; but there is nothing for you to be
silly about."

Then Peter began to realize the truth. There wasn't anything for him to
be concerned about. She had not the slightest notion what love meant,
even as she announced that she loved Donald.

CHAPTER XXX. Peter's Release

Eugene Snow returned to San Francisco enthusiastic about Linda, while he
would scarcely have known how to express his appreciation of Katherine
O'Donovan. He had been served a delicious dinner, deftly and quietly,
such food as men particularly like; but there had been no subservience.
If Katherine O'Donovan had been waiting on her own table, serving her
own friends she could not have managed with more pride. It was very
evident that she loved service, that she loved the girl to whom she gave
constant attention. He understood exactly what there was in her heart
and why she felt as she did when he saw Linda and Peter together and
heard their manner of speaking to each other, and made mental note
of the many points of interest which seemed to exist between
them. He returned to San Francisco with a good deal of a
"See-the-conquering-hero-comes" mental attitude. He went directly to
his office, pausing on the way for a box of candy and a bunch of Parma
violets. His first act on reaching the office was to send for Miss
Thorne. Marian came almost immediately, a worried look in her eyes. She
sat in the big, cushioned chair that was offered her, and smiled faintly
when the box was laid on her lap, topped with the violets. She looked at
Eugene Snow with an "I-wish-you-wouldn't" expression on her face; but he
smiled at her