ing."

"But you will put off the engagement." She said it confidently.

"It is impossible!" said David decidedly. "I am starting quite early to
drive over to Albany. I am under obligation to be present at the starting
of the new steam railroad."

"Oh, how nice!" said Kate, clapping her hands childishly, "I have wanted
to be there, and now you will take me. Then I--we--can talk on the way. How
like old times that will be!" She flashed him a smile of molten sunshine,
alluring and transforming.

"That, too, is impossible, Mrs. Leavenworth. My wife accompanies me!" he
answered her promptly and clearly and with a curt bow left her and went
into the house.

Kate Leavenworth was angry, and for Kate to be angry, meant to visit it
upon some one, the offender if possible, if not the nearest to the
offender. She had failed utterly in her attempt to win back the friendship
of her former lover. She had hoped to enjoy his attention to a certain
extent and bathe her sad (?) heart in the wistful glances of the man she
had jilted; and incidentally perhaps be invited to spend a little time in
his house, by which she would contrive to have a good many of her own
ways. A rich brother-in-law who adored one was not a bad thing to have,
especially when his wife was one's own little sister whom one had always
dominated. She was tired of New York and at this season of the year the
country was much preferable. She could thus contrive to hoard her small
income, and save for the next winter, as well as secure a possible
entrance finally into her father's good graces again through the
forgiveness of David and Marcia. But she had failed. Could it be that he
cared for Marcia! That child! Scout the idea! She would discover at once.

Hurriedly she searched through the rooms downstairs and then went
stealthily upstairs. Instinctively she went to the room where Marcia had
hidden herself.

Marcia, with that strong upward breath of prayer had grown steady again.
She was standing with her back to the door looking out of the window
toward her own home when Kate entered the room. Without turning about she
felt Kate's presence and knew that it was she. The moment had come. She
turned around, her face calm and sweet, with two red spots upon her
cheeks, and her bonnet,--Kate's bonnet and shawl, Kate's fine lace shawl
sent from Paris--grasped in her hands.

They faced each other, the sisters, and much was understood between them
in a flash without a word