Why seek to hide an obvious fact? Every person in Polktown who had arrived at the age of understanding and was not yet senile knew that Nelson Haley and Janice Day had "made a match of it." Only the girl's youth and the necessity for the young man to become established in his calling precluded the thought of matrimony for the present. But they were sure of their feeling for each other. Both had been tested in the months that had passed since Nelson came to Polktown fresh from his college course and had shown Janice that he could "make good." There had been conflict in both their lives; there had even been clash in their opinions; but the foundation of their affection for each other was too well established for either to doubt. The simple romance of their lives seemed very sweet indeed to those of their friends whose eyes were not holden. Nelson Haley and Janice Day were at the beginning of that path which, if sometimes rugged and steep to the travelers thereon, is primrose strewn. They passed one of the largest stores in Polktown--an "emporium" as the gilt sign stated--which had been opened only a few months. Nelson, picking up the first idle topic, said: "I wonder what's happened to Tom Hotchkiss? I haven't seen him about for some days--and you can't very well miss that important looking red vest he wears." "Somebody said he'd gone away," Janice replied, as lightly interested in the subject as the schoolmaster. "To buy goods, I presume. He often makes trips to the city for that purpose." "Hey, you folks! What're you pokin' along so for?" a shrill voice demanded behind them. "She's comin' into the dock now." A boy clattered by them, swinging a strapful of books and grinning at Janice and Nelson companionably. He was a sturdy boy with a good-humored face plentifully besprinkled with freckles. "They can dock the _Constance Colfax_ without our being there, Marty," Janice said. "Hi tunket! they can't without _I_ say so," her cousin flung back over his shoulder as he clattered on. Nelson sighed. "You would not believe that boy stood well in his classes and had the benefit of my precept and example in speech for several hours each school day of the year." "Marty is incorrigible, I fear," Janice returned, with a smile. "He sheds his knowledge of polite English when he steps out of the school building just as a snake sheds its skin. He is perfectly hopeless." "And at heart a perfect dear," announced Janice. "There's something better than even a knowledge of good English in Marty Day." Nelson's eyes twinkled. "Do you know," he observed, "I suspect you are prejudiced in your cousin's favor?" They reached the wharf just as the passengers landing at Polktown were streaming up from the boat. There were several commercial travelers bound for the Lake View Inn and the ministrations of Marm Parraday, who was now its overseeing spirit. Besides these there was but one disembarking passenger. She attracted Janice Day's immediate attention.