e actually panted as she caught up to Elsie
and seized hold of her as if she were rescuing her from drowning.

"Why, Katy, has anything happened?" the girl inquired anxiously.

"Anything happened? Well, I like that!" ejaculated Kate between her
gasps. "No, nothin's happened yet, but I suspicioned something was
a-goin' to and so I hiked along after you. What are you a-doin' up here
and himself gettin' all tired out at that library?"

Elsie's heart sank yet lower. "There won't be many in to-day, Katy," she
said meekly. "And anyhow--but don't keep me, Katy, I must----"

"No, you mustn't, Miss Elsie, no such thing. You're a-comin' straight
home with your own Katy. Do you want your aunt a-fallin' down in one of
her heart-spells, and her so well and happy for the first time sence I
come? She'll have one sure's you're born if you ain't there for your
supper--and me after makin' shepherd's pie!"

Elsie paled. "Oh, Katy, I can't go back, honestly I can't, but you'll
make it right with them, won't you? Tell them I _had_ to go and
she--Mrs. Moss--will explain when she comes back."

"You just come back yourself and wait for her, Miss Elsie. The missus
will have one of them flop-overs the first thing if you don't, and then
for himself to come home tired from the library and find her in that
state and you not by to break it to him, and him not so young as he was
once, you know!"

Tears streamed down the girl's distressed face. Kate took her satchel
while she got out her pocket-handkerchief, and then would not loose her
hold on it. Elsie started on, Kate by her side.

"If you're bound to go, then, you might as well get two tickets, for I'm
goin' with you," the latter said stoutly.

Elsie looked at her in amazement.

"Sure thing. If you go, I go," Kate insisted.

"But, Katy, you wouldn't do such a thing? You wouldn't leave--them?"

"Indeed I would," Kate returned exultantly, feeling that she had scored.
"I'll go by the same train. I've got some money in my stocking. I
couldn't face the music with her in a dead faint, and himself like as not
havin' a shock."

Elsie stopped short. "Katy, why will you say such dreadful things?" she
cried. "Honestly, it's only a question of a day or two. I've got to go
away, and why can't you let me do it quietly now instead of waiting and
having it still harder."

"You don't mind the easiest way for you bein' the hardest for them?"

"Yes, I do. But I can't go back. I