over the great bouquet
with the baby on her arm.

Nobody minded the closing piece, for people began to go, sleepy children
to be carried off, and whispers grew into a buzz of conversation. In the
general confusion Rose looked to see if Steve had remembered his promise
to help Phebe slip away before the rush began. No, there he was putting
on Kitty's cloak, quite oblivious to any other duty. Turning to ask
Archie to hurry out, Rose found that he had already vanished, leaving
his gloves behind him.

"Have you lost anything?" asked Dr. Alec, catching a glimpse of her
face.

"No, sir, I've found something," she whispered back, giving him the
gloves to pocket along with her fan and glass, adding hastily as the
concert ended, "Please, Uncle, tell them all not to come with us. Phebe
has had enough excitement and ought to rest."

Rose's word was law to the family in all things concerning Phebe. So
word was passed that there were to be no congratulations until tomorrow,
and Dr. Alec got his party off as soon as possible. But all the way
home, while he and Aunt Plenty were prophesying a brilliant future for
the singer, Rose sat rejoicing over the happy present of the woman.
She was sure that Archie had spoken and imagined the whole scene with
feminine delight how tenderly he had asked the momentous question, how
gratefully Phebe had given the desired reply, and now how both were
enjoying that delicious hour which Rose had been given to understand
never came but once. Such a pity to shorten it, she thought, and
begged her uncle to go home the longest way the night was so mild,
the moonlight so clear, and herself so in need of fresh air after the
excitement of the evening.

"I thought you would want to rush into Phebe's arms the instant she got
done," said Aunt Plenty, innocently wondering at the whims girls took
into their heads.

"So I should if I consulted my own wishes, but as Phebe asked to be let
alone I want to gratify her," answered Rose, making the best excuse she
could.

"A little piqued," thought the doctor, fancying he understood the case.

As the old lady's rheumatism forbade their driving about till midnight,
home was reached much too soon, Rose thought, and tripped away to warn
the lovers the instant she entered the house. But study, parlor, and
boudoir were empty; and, when Jane appeared with cake and wine, she
reported that "Miss Phebe went right upstairs and wished to be excused,
please, being very tir