"Dearest," he said, and there was a sad little ring in his voice, but a strangely kind one, "I--we have been mistaken. It wouldn't do. I think--" he looked anxiously at Luella--"the sooner we get some one--to--to--a clergyman, you know, or a--a legal person of some kind--" "I'll get Mr. Andrews right away," Luella assured him briskly. "He's Cong'ational, and he's a real pleasant young man--new here. Car'line, you run right down cross-lots to that first white house an' there he'll be, callin' this minute on the Wilkinses, 'cause she told me he would. You say Luella Judd wants him right away, an' he'll come." "Yes, Luella, I will," said Caroline but her eyes were fastened on the girl. She was in the boy's arms, her head on his shoulder; she clung to him tightly, shivering a little, hiding her face. "You don't mind, darling?" he begged her earnestly, "you believe I am doing it for the best? You won't blame me for changing, after all I've said?" She lifted her head and through her loving gray eyes looked out at him the woman she would be in ten years. A little tender smile curved her lips; she patted his shoulder as a mother caresses her headstrong, dearest son. "Whatever you think is best, Frank dear," she said, "let's do that." * * * * * "I only hope to heaven she don't understand!" Luella muttered nervously, glancing unguardedly at Caroline. Caroline stamped her foot angrily. Her sensitive little body had thrilled in the girl's arm; she had felt all the pathos and dignity of Luella's appeal, the young man seemed to her mysterious and noble. And now she was distrusted, grudged her free part in this exciting afternoon! She scowled at Luella. "You must think I'm a baby, Luella Judd!" she cried irritably. "I understand all about it, just as well as you do! Didn't we have just the same thing in the family, ourselves?" Luella gasped. "For heaven's sakes, Car'line, wha' do you mean?" she demanded; "it's perfectly awful the things you city children know! I do declare, I don't think it's right!"