"Now you are calling me names," cried Elsie, indignantly. "I won't stay with you another moment." She half rose, but Tom caught her dress. "Oh, don't go, don't!" "Go on your knees then, and beg my pardon," said Elsie. "No," said Tom, "I'll do no such thing." "Ah, do now, just to please, you know." Down went Tom in dumb obedience. After enjoying his distress and penitence for a few moments, Elsie suddenly threw both her arms about his neck, and whispered: "I am very sorry you are going. I do love you dearly, Tom!" He strained her to his heart with a burst of grateful delight. "And may I tell Grant?" he pleaded. "Not yet," she said; "wait till you come back; not a word till then." "But as soon as I come?" "Yes; if you are good. But not a look till I say the word." She tried to escape from him, but he would not let her go until he had extorted one other pledge. "You must write to me," he said. "Now, Tom, I hate to write letters! I never write even to Grant, when I can possibly help it." "But just a few words--" "If you will behave yourself properly, perhaps yes." "Every day?" "Oh, worse and worse! Tom, get up. I hear Mary Harrington's voice; she's the most inveterate gossip." "Promise then!" "Yes--yes--anything; oh, get away!" She struggled from him, and Tom had just time to resume his seat and look as decorously grave as perfect happiness could permit, when the door opened, and Mrs. Harrington entered, with her usual flutter. CHAPTER XLVIII. THE PET MESSENGER. "Elsie, Elsie!" the widow cried out, "Mr. Rhodes and the fascinating Jemima are driving up the avenue; the old maid is rushing on destruction again without the slightest warning." "It's delightful!" said Elsie. "I shall tell her how rich Tom Fuller is, and that he wants a wife." "Don't set the old dragon at me," said Tom. "Yes, I will! Mary, you must flirt desperately with the dear old man; between her desire to watch you and be agreeable to Tom, the spinster will be driven to the verge of distraction." "I'll go and find Elizabeth," said the widow, "and appear after the old maid gets nicely settled." Mrs. Harrington darted away, and just made her escape as Dolf opened the hall-door to admit the guests. The father and daughter were ushered into the room where Elsie and Tom sat, looking demure and harmless as two kittens. "Here we are again, you see," said the stout man; "no one can resist your fascinations, Miss Elsie." "Pa would stop," said Miss Jemima, "though I told him it was a shame to come so often." The truth was, the spinster's appetite had warned her that it was quite luncheon time, and recollecting the bounteous repasts always spread at Piney Cove, she had graciously assented to her parent's proposal that they should call. "I am delighted to see you," said Elsie, shaking hands as if they were her dearest friends; "my brother and sister will be down in a moment; you must stay to luncheon, of course."