ng! I'd like to live long
enough to show you how much I appreciate it."

"Nonsense, that wasn't anything! And of course you're coming back!
Dr. Temple says you have every chance in your favor if it's done
right away. He thinks you are in splendid condition. Now don't
you worry a single minute!"

"I'll try not to! I wish I were as brave as you. I'd never have
dared to go--with her chasin' me! My! I wish I could have seen
you two leggin' it!"

Miss Sterling laughed. "That is what Polly wished. But as for my
being brave, Miss Crilly, I'm afraid I'm not. I am going to tell
you my big secret--I have told only Polly yet; but maybe it will
give you something to think of,--I expect to marry Mr. Randolph!"

"O-h, Miss Sterling! Oh, my! Isn't that perfectly beautiful!
Well, you have given me something to think of! Why, I 'most forgot
already what's comin'! And I'm going to keep thinking of it hard,
so's I won't worry! The idea of your marryin' the president! I
do' know's I wonder you weren't scared o' Miss Sniffen! And to
think how I jollied you only this morning--about him! Why, I never
thought of such a thing!"

"Of course not! But it didn't trouble me."

"It didn't--really?"

"No, I quite enjoyed it!"

"You're awful good to say so! But what about Miss Puddicombe? I
thought he was--"

"No, he wasn't. It was a mistake. They're cousins, distant
cousins, that's all."

"Well, well, isn't that funny! And I'm so glad for you that I
don't know what to do!--O-h! my! that was a pretty big pain! But I
can bear it better now--will you kiss me once, just once, Miss
Sterling?"

She bent and kissed her, and smiled cheerily.

"What's that! I guess they're after me! Oh, if I don't come back--"

"But you are coming back!"

"Maybe--but if I shouldn't, remember I'll always love you for what
you've done for me!"

The patient was wrapped up quickly by one of the hospital nurses,
and two orderlies bore her away. She was still smiling.

Juanita Sterling stood watching her out of sight, when a light step
close behind made her start.

"Did I frighten you?" smiled Mrs. Albright. "It's about Miss
Twining--Has Dr. Temple gone?"

"He was in the hall talking with Mr. Randolph. I'll see."

She ran down a few steps, and then back again.

"They're there still. Is she worse?"

"I don't know. She heard the commotion and after they'd gone
called me in. She got nervous, lying there and imagining
everyth