nows how she's been
werrited, and suffers along with her, and 'ud be more glad and content
than of anythin' else in his heart this minute, to protect her and keer
for her as it's right--yes, tell her as it's right that she should let
him do; and if she asks from whom that comes"--George Olver smiled
brightly, with that far-seeing look still in his eyes--"why, it's no
secret from whom it comes. Will you go, teacher?"

"Yes," said I, with a vague sense of having caught a glimpse of a
hitherto unknown world; "I will go."

George Olver came forward, gave my hand a firm grasp, and then turned
resolutely and walked out.

Left to myself and my own thoughts, I dreaded more and more the
concession there would seem to be in my seeking Rebecca now, for the poor
girl could hardly be expected, I thought, to appreciate the magnanimity
of such an act.

I deferred going to see her until evening, and even thought of writing a
letter instead of going at all, signifying my willingness to take her
back into my favor, in a limited sort of way, and reinforcing her with a
share of that counsel and advice which she must have missed so sadly of
late; but I was conscious of the fact that I should not thus be keeping
my promise to George Olver.

After supper, the singers came in and wailed some peculiarly touching
songs about rescuing the fallen and the erring. As Grandma Keeler was
preparing to go on an errand of mercy down the lane, I joined her, and
stopped at Bede Weir's door.

Aunt Patty, Rebecca's mother, appeared in answer to my knock. Her glances
had fallen rather reproachfully on me, of late. Seeing me now, she cast
down her eyes, a steely expression gathering about her mouth.

"You've come too late, teacher," said she, her voice breaking suddenly
into a sob as she lifted her apron to her eyes.

In that instant it flashed through my mind,--the fear George Olver had
expressed lest Rebecca should make away with herself. I fancied that I
turned terribly pale.

"Come in, teacher!" Aunt Patty exclaimed, with a quick motion of her
hand, and she continued rapidly:--

"Becky went away this afternoon. She's gone to Taunton. She didn't tell
nobody but me. If you'd 'a' come sooner you might 'a' kep' her, teacher.
She's gone to Jane Meredith's that works thar, in the shops and Beck used
to know her. She hires a room, and Beck she's saved a little money
cranberryin'. She says she's a goin' to stay thar' as long as it holds
out, and 'mayb