"Crying?" ejaculated Theodore. "Crying, you say?" "Yes," nodded Peggy. "What'd she cry for?" asked Theodore. "She positively refused to go with me." "I know it, but she thought me an' Lafe wouldn't let 'er." Theodore moved uneasily about the office. "And would you?" he asked presently. "Sure," responded Peggy, nodding vigorously. "Sure! Jinnie's been workin' awful hard for years, an' Lafe'd like you to take 'er. But you musn't tell 'er I come here." Saying this, Peggy rose to her feet. She had finished what she had come to say and was ready to go. Theodore King laughingly thanked her and shook her heartily by the hand. Then he escorted her to the door, and she returned to Lafe a little less grim. It was nearly noon when Jinnie left the master's music room, carrying her fiddle box. Her teacher noticed she played with less spirit than usual, but had refrained from mentioning it. She was coming down the steps when King's car dashed up to the door. Her meetings with him were always unexpected and found her quite unprepared for the shock to her emotions. "I've come to take you home, Jinnie," said Theodore, jumping out. Jinnie's throat filled, and silently she allowed him to help her to the seat. They were in the flat of the town before he turned to her. "I haven't given up my plan to take you away for a day," he said gently. Jinnie gulped with joy. He was going to ask her again! Lafe and Peg had said she could go. She waited for him to proceed, which he did more gravely. "When I make up my mind to do a thing, I generally do it. Now which day shall it be, Jinnie?" "I guess I'll have to let you tell," whispered Jinnie, which whisper Theo caught despite the noise of the chugging motor. "Then, to-morrow," he decided, driving up to the cobbler's shop. "I'll come for you at nine o'clock.... Look at me, Jinnie." Slowly she dragged a pair of unfathomable blue eyes to his. "We're going to be happy for one whole beautiful day, Jinnie," said he hoarsely. He helped her out, and neither one spoke again. The motor started away, and the girl rushed into the shop. Lafe had just said to Peggy, "There they be! He's been after 'er!" "Lafe, Lafe dear," Jinnie gurgled. "I'm going with 'im to-morrow. All day with the birds and flowers! Oh, Peggy dear, I'm so happy!" Mrs. Grandoken glared at her. "Ugh! 'S if it matters to me whether you're happy or not!" Jinnie stooped and smothered Bobbie with caresses. With his arms tightly about her neck, he purred contentedly, "My stars're all shinin' bright, Jinnie." "Kiss me, both of you kids!" was all Lafe said. CHAPTER XXX WHAT THE FIDDLE TOLD THEODORE Jinnie looked very sweet when she bade farewell to Peg and Lafe the next morning. Mr. King's car was at the door, and the cobbler watched him as he stepped from it with a monosyllabic greeting to the girl and helped her to the seat next to his. Peggy, too, was craning her neck for a better view.