ll the time he knew she was this Miss Smithson, and was
keeping it to himself, and, knowing that, he's going to ask her to dance
with him now! Oh, what a good fellow he is, and what injustice I've done
him!" concluded Tilly. "If only Will now, when he finds out--"

It was just then that a voice called softly from the open window behind
her, "Miss Tilly, Miss Tilly!" and there was Will beckoning to her.
"What shall I do with that paper?" he whispered, as Tilly turned. "I
expect Agnes to be after me for it as quick as she catches sight of me
again."

The window was a long French window, and Tilly stepped out and joined
him upon the piazza. "Come around here where nobody can see or overhear
us," she said. He followed her down the steps to a sheltered rustic
seat.

"You haven't read it?" she asked.

"Read it? No!" Will answered a little huffily. "You asked me not to
until I had seen you."

Tilly colored, and then, "You are a gentleman!" she burst out
vehemently.

"Well, I hope so," Will answered.

"And so is Tom Raymond. I had done him such an injustice; but he's
turned out so different from what I supposed he was. Oh, he's just
splendid! and if you--" But here--I'm half ashamed to record it of my
plucky little Tilly--here, suddenly overcome by all the excitement she
had been through, Tilly broke down and began to cry.

"Oh, don't! I wish you wouldn't, now! Oh, I say!" cried Will, in boyish
embarrassment.

Poor Tilly checked her sobs by a vigorous effort; but tears continued to
flow, and she fumbled vainly for her handkerchief to dry them.

"Here, here, take mine," said Will, hastily thrusting the cambric into
her hand; "and don't you bother another bit about Agnes and her
tantrums. I'll burn her old paper if you say so, and I won't read it at
all."

"Oh, yes, yes, you'll have to read it now. She'll ask you,--she'll tell
you. Yes, read it, read it, Will. I know you'll pity Peggy, as
grandmother and I do."

Thus adjured, Will drew the bit of paper from his pocket.

Tilly forgot her tears as she watched Will's face. He read it twice. At
first there was an entire lack of comprehension; at the second reading a
look of shocked understanding, and, bringing his fist down upon his
knee, he exclaimed,--

"And Agnes was going to fling this bombshell straight at that poor
thing!"

Then Tilly knew that Will was on the right side; that he pitied Peggy,
and that he would agree with all that grandmother had said about