, he
reflected, of his own creating.

He glanced at Delight, but she did not meet his eye.

Her gaze was vacantly following the rapidly shifting landscape.

Although the glory from the sky shone on her face the radiance that
glowed there came only from without and was the result of no inward
exultation. Even the gray cottage had assumed a false splendor in the
rosy twilight and was lighted with a beauty not its own.

When the car stopped, Willie clambered stiffly out and he and Bob
helped the women to alight. Then the motor rolled away and they were
alone.

"Well!" burst out Celestina, her pent-up feeling taking vent, "did you
ever know of such a to-do? I've been stiflin' to talk all the way
home! Why, you're goin' to be rich, Delight! You'll be aunts, an'
uncles, an' cousins with them Galbraiths--picture it! Likely they'll
take you to New York with 'em an' to goodness knows where!"

The girl did not answer but moved to Willie's side and slipped her hand
into his, as if certain of his understanding and sympathy.

"You don't seem much set up by your good luck," went on the breathless
Celestina.

"Delight's kinder bowled over by surprise, Tiny," Willie explained
gently. "It's took all our breaths away, I guess."

Tenderly he pressed the trembling fingers that clung to his.

"You ain't got to worry about it, dearie," whispered he in a caressing
tone. "No power can make you do anything you don't choose to; an'
what's more, nobody'll want to force you into what won't be for your
happiness."

"I shall never leave Zenas Henry," Delight said with determination.

"An' nobody'll urge you to, dear heart. Don't fret, child, don't fret.
To-morrow we'll straighten this snarl all out an' 'til then you've got
nothin' to fear. Them as love you shall stay by, I give you my word on
it."

"Hadn't I better go home to-night and tell them?"

The old inventor considered a moment.

"I don't believe I would," he answered at last. "They ain't expectin'
you, an' if you was to go lookin' so white an' frightened as you do
now, 'twould anger Zenas Henry an' upset 'em all. Wait an' see what
happens to-morrow. 'Twill be time enough then. You're tired,
sweetheart. Stay here an' rest to-night. What do you say, Bob?"

"I think it would be much wiser."

"Course 'twould," nodded Willie. "You stay right here, like as if
nothin' had happened, an' think calmly about it a little while, child.
You ain't got to decide a thin