"I couldn't stop if I wanted to,--and I don't want to." She put her thin arm about his neck. "Will you do something for me?" "Anything on earth!" A wan little funny gleam lighted her pretty dark eyes. "This is on earth, all right. I'll tell you about it next time you come...." Suddenly Elsie sat up and grasped him. "There will be a next time, won't there, Harvey?" she asked him in a wild tone, a wave of terror seeming to go over her. He held her gently. "Don't be frightened, dear. Of course there is going to be a next time ... all the rest of our lives. You didn't think even for a minute that I would go back on you, did you, Elsie?" She smiled and released herself, then smiled again. "No, no, I didn't mean that. Take a chair, Harvey, and tell me about the weather." Harvey took the chair and once more possessed himself of her hand. She smiled sweetly. "Now let me ask you a favor. Let's name the day, Elsie," he said. "Promise to marry me,--as soon as you get well." "When--I--get--well," Elsie looked wonderingly at him. She saw his passionate earnestness, his need of hope. Hope! It was fast fainting in her heart. "Yes, Harvey,--when I get well." He bent over her and with deep tenderness kissed her. Violent coughing seized her. It was the worst, the most prolonged Elsie had yet had. One spasm followed another, bringing her mother with remedies. Harvey moved frantically about; he was the first to suggest the doctor and ran out to bring one. He did not realize, he could not know what had really happened. When he returned Elsie had fallen asleep and the physician advised them not to waken her, promising to call early in the morning. The faithful Harvey went with him. He had her answer, "when I get well," she said. Elsie remained until nearly day-break in a very deep sleep. The fever left her during this long repose. Her sister, who was watching beside her, thought she was better because her forehead grew damp and cool. With the first early light of morning Elsie opened her eyes. Patience pushed back the pretty tendrils of her dark hair. "It's sister watching with you, dear," she said. "Where's mother?" murmured Elsie in a voice so weak that it frightened Patience. "Mother! mother! Please come!" she called. "She's coming," answered Patience as Mrs. Welcome came hurrying to the bedside. She understood without a word, lifting Elsie in her arms, the frail little worn body against her heart. Tears streamed down her face; sobs shook her body. Patience hurried weeping to summon Harry. "Don't cry, Mother," moaned Elsie. "I am so glad I am home with you." "Yes, Elsie, yes." "I would have come long ago, but I didn't dare--so many girls never dare go home. Some of their mothers don't want them, but you--. Mother--" "Yes my darling, yes!" "I was afraid, so afraid. I went--and--looked--at the--lake." She seemed to her mother to wander a bit.