They fell to talking over old times and the many scenes and adventures through which they had passed since the wild night when Captain Bellwood’s vessel was wrecked on Tiger Tooth Ledge, near Fardale. They laughed lightly as they spoke of misunderstandings and jealousies, now happily forever at an end. Then, as was natural, they began to talk of Inza’s trousseau and plan it, and both were very deeply engaged in this and very happy over it. Finally they paused from sheer exhaustion. “One thing has made me a bit unhappy,” Elsie finally observed. Inza looked at her quickly. “You mean——” “Frank’s unfortunate trouble with Fred Fillmore. Fred is Mrs. Loder’s brother. At first she didn’t know why he left Baltimore so suddenly after the lacrosse game; but I think he has written her, placing the blame on Frank.” “Frank was not in the least to blame!” exclaimed Inza quickly. “They were just foolish boys, both of them. Fred thought himself in love with me, and I had to hold him at a distance. He must have been crazy, else he would not have tried to knock Frank out in the game by hitting him over the head. No one could blame Frank for being angry and threatening to settle with Fred the next time they met. That was why Fred left Baltimore. There was no need for him to do so, for I would not have permitted Frank to quarrel with him.” A little later Elsie said: “I think I’ll go to bed now, Inza. I need rest. If I could only rest so I would not feel tired in the morning!” Inza remained to assist Elsie. The girl with the blue eyes and the sweet, pale face sank back amid the pillows with a sigh. “I’m so glad, Inza,” she breathed—“so glad all your dreams are going to be realized. You will be very, very happy, and I shall be happy because you are.” Inza kissed her. “Always thinking of others, you unselfish child!” she exclaimed. “What a world this would be if there were more like you in it! I am going down to the library for a book I am reading, dear. I will return soon.” Lightly she descended the stairs. The library was dark as she stepped in, but she pushed a button and turned on the electric lights. At the same moment she detected an odor of tobacco smoke. The flood of light showed her a person standing near the centre of the room, his feet quite wide apart, smoking a cigarette. “Fred!” she exclaimed, startled; “Fred Fillmore!” CHAPTER XXIX. FRED FILLMORE’S ADVANCES. The young man regarded Inza with a peculiar look. His face was flushed and his manner unnatural. “Good evening, Miss Burrage,” he bowed, with cool self-assurance. “This is a great pleasure, I declare.” She detected something odd in his speech, and, being quick of wit, decided at once that he had been drinking. He wore a blue coat, light trousers, tan shoes, outing shirt and no waistcoat. His necktie was carelessly knotted. The evening was almost oppressively warm. Inza caught her breath. “You startled me,” she confessed.