not having understood; but Lois's confession of her promise to Mrs.
Forsythe made all quite clear, though it left a look that was almost
stern behind the joy in Gifford's eyes.

"You know I couldn't help it, Giff," she ended.

But he did not speak.

"It wasn't wrong," she said. "You see how it was,--you don't think it was
wrong?"

"Yes, I do, Lois," he answered.

"Oh!" she cried; and then, "But you made me!"

"I?" he exclaimed, bewildered.

And then she told him how his acknowledgment of her fault drove her into
a desire for atonement. "You know, you think I'm wrong pretty often,"
she added shyly; and then they mutually forgave each other.

"I suppose I did find a good deal of fault," Gifford admitted, humbly,
"but it was always because I loved you."

"Oh!" said Lois.

But there was so much to say they might have talked until noon, except
that, as they had neither of them breakfasted, and happiness and morning
air are the best sort of tonics, they began to think of going to the
rectory. Gifford had quite forgotten the business in Mercer which needed
him so early.

"Father won't have mushrooms with his steak to-day," Lois commented,
looking ruefully at the little basket, which she still held in her hand.

They stopped at the roadside, walking hand in hand like two children, and
looked back at the ruin. "It was a home once," Gifford said, "and there
was love there; and so it begins over again for us,--love, and happiness,
and all of life."

"Oh, Giff," the girl said softly, "I don't deserve"--

But that, of course, he would not hear. When they came to the rectory
gate,--and never did it take so long to walk from East Hill to the
rectory,--Gifford said, "Now let's go and tell Helen; we've kept her out
of our joy too long." They met her in the cool, dusky hall, and Gifford,
taking her hand, said gently, "Be glad, too, Helen!"

Lois had put her arms about her cousin, and without further words Helen
knew.

* * * * *

And so Helen Ward's duty came to her, the blessedness and helpfulness of
being needed; when Lois went to her new home, Helen would be necessary
to her uncle, and to be necessary would save her life from hardness.
There need be no thought of occupation now. When Mr. Dale heard the news,
he said his congratulations were not only for Lois and Gifford, but for
Helen, and after that for Ashurst.

* * * * *

A genuine Ashurst engagem