she could not tell Leslie.

"I couldn't help it, Anne--I couldn't help it," said poor Leslie.

"I know that."

"Do you blame me so very much?"

"I don't blame you at all."

"And you won't--you won't tell Gilbert?"

"Leslie! Do you think I would do such a thing?"

"Oh, I don't know--you and Gilbert are such CHUMS. I don't see how you
could help telling him everything."

"Everything about my own concerns--yes. But not my friends' secrets."

"I couldn't have HIM know. But I'm glad YOU know. I would feel guilty
if there were anything I was ashamed to tell you. I hope Miss Cornelia
won't find out. Sometimes I feel as if those terrible, kind brown eyes
of hers read my very soul. Oh, I wish this mist would never lift--I
wish I could just stay in it forever, hidden away from every living
being. I don't see how I can go on with life. This summer has been so
full. I never was lonely for a moment. Before Owen came there used to
be horrible moments--when I had been with you and Gilbert--and then had
to leave you. You two would walk away together and I would walk away
ALONE. After Owen came he was always there to walk home with me--we
would laugh and talk as you and Gilbert were doing--there were no more
lonely, envious moments for me. And NOW! Oh, yes, I've been a fool.
Let's have done talking about my folly. I'll never bore you with it
again."

"Here is Gilbert, and you are coming back with us," said Anne, who had
no intention of leaving Leslie to wander alone on the sand-bar on such
a night and in such a mood. "There's plenty of room in our boat for
three, and we'll tie the flat on behind."

"Oh, I suppose I must reconcile myself to being the odd one again,"
said poor Leslie with another bitter laugh. "Forgive me, Anne--that
was hateful. I ought to be thankful--and I AM--that I have two good
friends who are glad to count me in as a third. Don't mind my hateful
speeches. I just seem to be one great pain all over and everything
hurts me."

"Leslie seemed very quiet tonight, didn't she?" said Gilbert, when he
and Anne reached home. "What in the world was she doing over there on
the bar alone?"

"Oh, she was tired--and you know she likes to go to the shore after one
of Dick's bad days."

"What a pity she hadn't met and married a fellow like Ford long ago,"
ruminated Gilbert. "They'd have made an ideal couple, wouldn't they?"

"For pity's sake, Gilbert, don't develop into a match-maker. It's