won't make poor Leslie free," sighed Anne. "It
will probably end in still more bitter bondage for her. Oh, Gilbert, I
CAN'T think you are right."

CHAPTER 30

LESLIE DECIDES

A sudden outbreak of a virulent type of influenza at the Glen and down
at the fishing village kept Gilbert so busy for the next fortnight that
he had no time to pay the promised visit to Captain Jim. Anne hoped
against hope that he had abandoned the idea about Dick Moore, and,
resolving to let sleeping dogs lie, she said no more about the subject.
But she thought of it incessantly.

"I wonder if it would be right for me to tell him that Leslie cares for
Owen," she thought. "He would never let her suspect that he knew, so
her pride would not suffer, and it MIGHT convince him that he should
let Dick Moore alone. Shall I--shall I? No, after all, I cannot. A
promise is sacred, and I've no right to betray Leslie's secret. But
oh, I never felt so worried over anything in my life as I do over this.
It's spoiling the spring--it's spoiling everything."

One evening Gilbert abruptly proposed that they go down and see Captain
Jim. With a sinking heart Anne agreed, and they set forth. Two weeks
of kind sunshine had wrought a miracle in the bleak landscape over
which Gilbert's crow had flown. The hills and fields were dry and
brown and warm, ready to break into bud and blossom; the harbor was
laughter-shaken again; the long harbor road was like a gleaming red
ribbon; down on the dunes a crowd of boys, who were out smelt fishing,
were burning the thick, dry sandhill grass of the preceding summer.
The flames swept over the dunes rosily, flinging their cardinal banners
against the dark gulf beyond, and illuminating the channel and the
fishing village. It was a picturesque scene which would at other times
have delighted Anne's eyes; but she was not enjoying this walk.
Neither was Gilbert. Their usual good-comradeship and Josephian
community of taste and viewpoint were sadly lacking. Anne's
disapproval of the whole project showed itself in the haughty uplift of
her head and the studied politeness of her remarks. Gilbert's mouth
was set in all the Blythe obstinacy, but his eyes were troubled. He
meant to do what he believed to be his duty; but to be at outs with
Anne was a high price to pay. Altogether, both were glad when they
reached the light--and remorseful that they should be glad.

Captain Jim put away the fishing net upon which he