Then Leola recalled the morning, three weeks ago, when her guardian had bidden her prepare to be married in a month to the man of his choice. “So this is my rich suitor--old Bennett!” she burst out, laughing, for she could not regard it seriously at all, not realizing Wizard Hermann’s grim determination. “Why do you call him old? He is only about fifty or so, and a fine, handsome man!” complained the tearful governess. She could hardly understand why the volatile Leola burst into spasms of the merriest laughter, in which Ray Chester could not help joining. Alas, they were so gay and happy, they were full of joy and laughter, little dreaming of the tragic moment near at hand when tears would come more readily than smiles, and the dull ache at the heart would be like a piercing thorn. “If I were you, Leola, I would not feel so gay, for your guardian swears he will enforce his authority and have you marry Mr. Bennett, willy-nilly!” reproved Miss Tuttle, anxiously. The girl looked gayly at her lover, and he caught her little hand in his, saying, tenderly: “We aren’t afraid of him, are we, my precious Leola? And if the worst comes to the worst, we will elope to Washington and get married before old Bennett knows what we are up to.” “If you were only rich there needn’t be any trouble. You could pay off the mortgage for Mr. Hermann, and then he would be willing enough for you to have Leola!” suggested Miss Tuttle, inquiringly. Ray’s dark blue eyes looked questioningly into those of his bonny sweetheart. “Are you sorry I’m not rich? Would you rather have your old suitor?” he asked, gently. “Nonsense; I’d take you without a coat to your back before I would have that old Falstaff, with all his money,” she answered, laughingly, and they dismissed the thought of danger, for how could anyone force a girl to marry against her will? “But perhaps, after all, I had better see your guardian, and ask him for his consent to our marriage?” questioned Ray. The governess shook her head. “No, do not anger him now, for he is really in such a rage he might set the dogs on you, who knows?” “Oh, very well, we need not hurry. It will all blow over by-and-by,” cried Leola, in her happy-go-lucky way, and presently, when Ray had taken leave, she went up to her room and penned an amiable but decided refusal of Mr. Bennett’s offer, saying she would prefer to marry a younger man, and frankly advising him to turn his attention to Miss Tuttle, who admired him immensely, and would make him the best wife in the world. When she showed this effort to the governess, that lady promptly hugged and kissed her, and declared she was the dearest girl on earth. A special messenger carried the missive over to the Bennett place, and Leola congratulated herself that the episode was closed. But who can tell what a day may bring forth?