is not fair to our love!

"All of which,"--the practical Betty Jo declared a moment later, wiping
her eyes on the corner of her apron, and going into the other room to
set the table for breakfast,--"all of which, Betty Jo, does not in the
least help matters, and only makes you more nervous and upset than you
are.

"One thing is certain sure," she continued, while her hands were busy
with the dishes and the table preparations: "If we can endure this test,
we need never, never, never fear that anything nor anybody can ever,
ever make us doubt the genuineness of our love. Auntie Sue has certainly
arranged it most beautifully for Brian Kent and Betty Jo Williams to
become thoroughly acquainted."

Betty Jo suddenly paused in her work, and stood very still: "I wonder,"
she said slowly,--"can it be,--is it possible,--what if Auntie Sue has
brought about this situation for that very reason?"

"Breakfast ready?" cried Brian at the kitchen-door, and his voice was so
hearty and natural that the girl answered as naturally: "It will be
as soon as you are ready for it. I forget, do you like your eggs three
minutes or four?"

They really managed that breakfast very well, even if they did sit
opposite each other so that each was forced to look straight across
the table into the face of the other. Or, perhaps, it was because they
looked at each other so straight and square and frankly honest that the
breakfast went so well.

And because the breakfast went so well, they managed the dinner and the
supper also.

"I have been thinking," said Brian at the close of their evening meal,
looking straight into the gray eyes over the table, "perhaps it might be
better for you to stay at neighbor Tom's until Auntie Sue returns. I'll
hitch up 'Old Prince' and drive you over, if you say. Or, we might find
some neighbor woman to come here to live with us, if you prefer."

"You don't like my housekeeping, then?" asked Betty Jo.

"Like it!" exclaimed Brian; and the tone of his voice approached the
danger-point.

Betty Jo said quickly: "I'll tell you exactly what I think, Mr. Burns:
Auntie Sue said we were to be good children, and take care of things
until she returned. She did not say for me to shirk my part by going to
neighbor Tom's or by having any one come here. Don't you think we can do
exactly what Auntie Sue said?"

"Yes," returned Brian, heartily; "I am sure we can. And do you
know,--come to think about it,--I believe the dear old