dn't sleep, 't was so hot,
and I sat down there to get a breath o' air. He come along and
sent in the boy with the milk, same as he gen'ally does--I see him
lots of times. But wasn't I astonished when Mis' Dick come
marchin' out, all dressed up in her Sunday togs, and got in and
rode off with him! She had her big suitcase--it must ha' been all
cut an' dried beforehand! What do you s'pose it means? I'm scart
to death! I do' want to squeal on Mis' Dick--I always liked Mis'
Dick! An' if they ask me, I can't lie it out! Oh, what would you
do?" Miss Crilly came near being distressed.

"Why," answered Miss Sterling, "I think I should keep still unless
I were asked. In that case I should tell all I knew."

"Oh, dear, I hate to squeal!"

"Maybe you won't have to. I hope not!"

"What do you s'pose she went off with Mr. Tenney for?"

Miss Sterling shook her head.

"He's a widower! You don't s'pose--?" Miss Crilly giggled.

The other shrugged her shoulders.

"Well, anyway, there'll be a row till she's found! Gracious! I
was so upset I couldn't eat much breakfast! I told Mis' Albright
finally--I couldn't keep it a minute longer. Then I came up here.
You don't s'pose she's gone luny, do you? She was so upset about
goin' to that weddin'!"

"No, it isn't that!" decided Miss Sterling. "Mrs. Dick is not the
kind to go crazy."

"Somebody's comin'!" Miss Crilly darted to the closet and shut
herself in.

Mrs. Albright and Mrs. Adlerfield appeared.

"I thought Miss Crilly was here." Mrs. Albright looked about in
surprise.

Miss Sterling nodded significantly toward the closet.

Mrs. Albright opened the door, and laughed,

"Come into daylight, you silly! Nobody's going to eat you up!
They've found out!"

"They have? How?"

"One of the maids saw Mrs. Dick go by the window, and she ran to
see where she was going; but she didn't dare tell at first.
Finally, she did, and they're going to send out to Mr. Tenney's."

"My! I'm glad I ain't in Mis' Dick's shoes!" Miss Crilly emerged
from the folds of Miss Sterling's petticoats. She brushed back her
disordered hair and drew a long, laughing sigh. "Isn't it lovely
they've found out! I b'lieve I'd have been luny myself in a little
while if they hadn't!"

"Nonsense!" pooh-poohed Mrs. Albright. "You couldn't stay luny
more'n half a twinkle! You'd have to come out of it to laugh!"

"Sure, I would!" Miss Crilly agreed. "My! How do folks live that
don'