f the change in our plans; but Mr. Snow has made some plans of
his own. He is a very astute individual. He wanted Marian to marry him
at once and she would not, so he took her for a short visit to see his
daughter at her grandmother's home in the northern part of the state.
Marian fell deeply in love with his little girl, and of course those
people found Marian charming, just as right-minded people would
find her. When she saw how the little girl missed her father and how
difficult it was for him to leave her, and when she saw how she would be
loved and appreciated in that fine family, she changed her mind. Peter,
we are going to be invited to San Francisco to see them married very
shortly. Are you glad or sorry?"

"I am very glad," said Peter heartily. "I make no concealment of my
admiration for Miss Thorne but I am very glad indeed that it is not her
head that is to complete the decoration when you start the iris marching
down my creek banks."

"Well, that's all right," said Linda. "Of course you should have
something to say about whose head finished that picture. I can't
contract to do more than set the iris. The thing about this I dread is
that Marian and Eugene are going to live in San Francisco, and I did so
want her to make her home in Lilac Valley."

"That's too bad," said Peter sympathetically. "I know how you appreciate
her, how deeply you love her. Do you think the valley will ever be right
for you without her, Linda?"

"It will have to be," said Linda. "I've had to go on without Father,
you know. If greater happiness seems to be in store for Marian in San
Francisco, all I can do is to efface myself and say 'Amen.' When the
world is all right for Marian, it is about as near all right as it
can be for me. And did you ever see much more sincerely and clearly
contented people than John and Eileen are at the present minute?"

Peter looked at Linda whimsically. He lowered his voice as if a sea
urchin might hear and tattle.

"What did you do about the wasp, Linda?" he whispered.

"I delicately erased the stinger, fluffed up a ruffle, and put the
sketch under lock and key. I should have started a fire with it, but
couldn't quite bring myself to let it go, yet."

"Is she going to hold out?" asked Peter.

"She'll hold out or get her neck wrung," said Linda. "I truly think she
has been redeemed. She has been born again. She has a new heart and a
new soul and a new impulse and a right conception of life. Why,