“You are crazy, too--as crazy as Tom!” she cried, indignantly. “And to think how I fooled myself! I loved you like a brother, and all the while you had this foolishness in your mind. Why, Frank Hinton, I wouldn’t marry a king--there now!” “I know; but maybe you will marry me,” said the young fellow, pleadingly. “I love you so dearly, Sweetheart, and I certainly thought you encouraged me. You made so much of me--you seemed to enjoy being with me so much, and--” “Oh, hush!” she interrupted, eagerly. “I am sorry, Frank; indeed, I am sorry, for now I see that you have deceived yourself. I am fond of you--just as Emmie is, you know--that kind of a love; but if I loved you that other way,” trippingly, “I--I--don’t think I should make so much of you. I mean, I--I--don’t think I’d want you to guess my--my--feelings,” blushing as if with some subtle perception of the master-passion her innocent heart had never known. “Go away, you miserable little flirt! I feel like I hated you!” Frank cried, flinging the white hand roughly from him, and turning away in bitter anger. CHAPTER XXVII. Thea did not wait for a second bidding from her indignant lover. She ran hurriedly out of the open door, and in her haste almost fell over Emmie, who had been listening outside. They both paused, and Thea cried out, scornfully: “So you’ve been listening again!” “Anybody could hear that chose. You left the door open so that every one could hear you triumph in rejecting another one of my brothers,” Emmie answered, sulkily. Frank came hastily to the door. “Emmie, were you listening?” he asked, in surprise. “The door was open; I couldn’t help hearing.” “You might have coughed.” “Yes; but she didn’t want to!” Thea cried, furiously. “She doesn’t think it any disgrace to eavesdrop. She listened to-day when Tom asked me--asked me--the same thing. Boo-hoo! oh, boo-hoo!” breaking into a sudden storm of sobs. “Don’t cry, dear; you’ll spoil your eyes for the dance,” Frank said, kindly. “You needn’t care if she cries them out!” snapped his sister. “But I do,” said the young man. “And so Tom asked you, too, Thea?” he said, with a short, mirthless laugh. “Well, did you tell him ‘No’?” “Of course--the ungrateful little flirt! After all the Hintons had done for her, too! Not that I think she’s half good enough for either of my brothers, but--” “Hush, Emmie! You ought to be ashamed of yourself!” Frank said, severely; and Thea, who was drying her eyes on a tiny lace handkerchief, chimed in, reproachfully: “I don’t think you ought to be mad, Emmie. I can’t see that I’ve done anything wrong. Why, I thought Tom and Frank were my brothers--or just as good--and I’d as soon thought of marrying my grandmother!” “You never had any grandmother that anybody knows of, and it was an honor to you for either of my brothers to offer to give you a name, as you never had one of your own!” stormed resentful Emmie; but Frank put his hand sternly over her mouth.