rs. Moss found her pale
and hollow-eyed, she felt conscience-stricken. But she had no
opportunity to give her any of Elsie Moss's cheering messages, for she
went into immediate conference with the Middletons.

They talked for an hour. The waiting was agony for the girl, and she was
at once relieved and desperate when at length she was summoned down to
the study. Mrs. Middleton beckoned her to a place beside her on the
couch, and Elsie dropped gratefully into it. She could not raise her
eyes; she sat with her hands clasped tightly, very pale, yet aware
somehow, at the very first, of the kindness, the sheltering kindness, as
it were, of the woman at her side. And while she had steeled herself to
endure the coldness of Mr. Middleton's voice, it had never been more
gentle.

"Well, Elsie, we know the whole story, now. It seemed a sad mix-up at
first--what a friend of mine up-State would call a 'pretty kettle of
fish'; but with Aunt Milly's assistance we managed to get at the crux of
the affair and see things more clearly. Aunt Milly declares it was just
child's play: that you girls had no more idea of doing anything wrong, of
deceiving, than she had last winter when her new hat came from the
milliner's and she decided to wear it back foremost and never told any
one what she was doing."

[Illustration: "Well, Elsie, we know the whole story now."]

Elsie knew from his voice that he was smiling. She wanted to thank him
for his kindness; she longed to raise her eyes gratefully to Aunt Milly,
but she was powerless to do even that. He went on:

"Mrs. Moss brings word that Miss Pritchard has become deeply attached
to--er--the other Elsie. Now that isn't a circumstance to our case. For
my part, I couldn't possibly have cared more for my dear sister's
daughter than I have come to care for you, Elsie, and Aunt Milly is
convinced she couldn't have cared for her nearly so much. In any event,
we cannot give you up. Somehow we shall have to come to an agreement
with your guardian, Miss Pritchard--that is, if you are willing?"

Elsie knew she should burst into tears if she attempted to answer.

"I'll speak for her. Elsie won't leave us," Mrs. Middleton declared.

"Not if--if you----"

The bell rang violently.

"That sounds like Miss Pritchard now," remarked Mrs. Moss, thankful to
have the tenseness relieved. And, in truth, Kate, who was suspiciously
near the front door, ushered that lady in at once.

Introductio