either, Judy," she said, and Judy looked down at
her with a strange softness in her dark eyes. Suddenly she bent her
head in a swift kiss, then drew back and squared her shoulders.

"Don't let's talk about it," she said, sharply. "I can't stand it--I
can't stand it--Anne--"

But in spite of the harshness of her tone, Anne knew that there was a
bond between them, and that the bond had been sealed by Judy's kiss.

CHAPTER II

ANNE GOES TO TOWN

"Grandfather," said Judy, at the lunch-table, "I want to take Anne home
with us."

A little shiver went up and down Anne's spine. She wasn't sure whether
it would be pleasant to go with Judy or not. Judy was so different.

"I don't believe Anne could leave Becky and Belinda," laughed the
Judge. "She would have to carry her family with her."

"Of course she can leave them," was Judy's calm assertion, "and I want
her, grandfather."

She said it with the air of a young princess who is in the habit of
having her wishes gratified. The Judge laughed again.

"How is it, Mrs. Batcheller?" he asked.

"May Anne go?"

The little grandmother shook her head.

"I don't often let her leave me," she said.

"But I want her," said Judy, sharply, and at her tone the little
grandmother's back stiffened.

"Perhaps you do, my dear," was her quiet answer, "but your wants must
wait upon my decision."

The mild blue eyes met the frowning dark ones steadily, and Judy gave
in. Much as she hated to own it, there was something about this little
lady in faded calico that forced respect.

"Oh," she said, and sat back in her chair, limply.

The Judge looked anxiously at her disappointed face.

"Judy is so lonely," he pleaded, and Mrs. Batcheller unbent.

"Anne has her lessons."

"But to-morrow is Saturday."

"Well--she may go this time. How long do you want her to stay?"

"Until Sunday night," said the Judge. "I will bring her back in time
for school on Monday."

Anne went up-stairs in a flutter of excitement. Visits were rare
treats in her uneventful life, and she had never stayed at Judge
Jameson's overnight, although she had often been there to tea, and the
great old house had seemed the palace beautiful of her dreams.

But Judy!

"She is so different from any girl I have ever met," she explained to
the little grandmother, who had followed her to her room under the
eaves, and was packing her bag for her.

"Different? How?"

"Well, she isn't like Nannie Ma