Aunt Lorena dearly loved a romance. Her eyes began to sparkle and a faint flush came into her withered cheek. "You don't mean it, Sissy!" she gasped. "Not our Luke? The dear boy! Think of his having a sweetheart!" "Oh, but I don't know that he _has_ one! I am afraid he ought not even to think of it!" cried Cecile. "Nonsense! Why not? Your father was married when he was no older than Luke. And of course the dear boy would wait till he graduates." "And for a long time after, I fear," said Cecile, shaking her head. She really saw the folly of such an idea much more quickly than Aunt Lorena. "Is this Ruth Kenway a nice girl?" queried Aunt Lorena eagerly. "And is Luke actually fond of her?" "As fond as he can be I do believe," admitted the sister, still shaking her head. "And--and do you suppose Miss Kenway appreciates our Luke?" "I guess she likes him," said Cecile, smiling a little at the question. "I am sure she does, in fact. But Luke will say nothing to her unless Neighbor agrees." "Mercy! He's not gone to tell that old man about the girl?" "Of course." "Well! Of all things! The ridiculous boy!" ejaculated Aunt Lorena. "He might know that Mr. Northrup will be greatly vexed. Why, he hates women!" "Yes, I am afraid Luke will have a bad time with Neighbor," said Cecile, anxiously. She was quite right in her supposition. Luke Shepard appeared before the grim old man as the latter sat in his study and, being a perfectly candid youth, he blurted out his news without much preparation. Immediately after shaking hands, and asking after Mr. Northrup's health, he said: "Neighbor, I've got a great secret to tell you." "Heh? A secret? What is it? Broke somebody's window, have you?" for his elderly friend often seemed to think Luke still a small boy. "That wouldn't be a great secret," the young man said quietly. "No. It is the greatest thing that's ever come into my life." The old man, who could look very sternly indeed from under his heavy brows, gazed now with apprehension at his young friend. "You don't mean you think you've changed your mind about your college work?" "No, sir. But there is one thing I want to do after I get through college that I never thought of doing before." "What's the matter with you, boy?" demanded Mr. Northrup, exasperated. "You know I have been away with Cecile to see some friends of ours. And one of them, Miss Kenway--Ruth--is the nicest girl I ever met." "A girl!" literally snorted Neighbor. "Ruth Kenway is splendid," said Luke firmly. "She is lovely. And--and I think very, very much of her." "What do you mean, boy?" the old man demanded, his deep-set eyes fairly flashing. "Why do you tell me about any silly girl? Don't you know that it offends me? I can, and do, endure your speaking of your sister. It is not your fault you have a sister. But it will be your fault if you ever allow yourself to become entangled with any other woman."