first time, that she was wearing her coat and hat.

"Were you going out?" he asked.

Gertrude hesitated. Serena answered for her.

"Gertie and I were going out," she said. "It is Chapter night and she
was going to be made a member. But you won't go now, of course, Gertie.
I'll go--John will excuse me, I know--and you can join at the next
meeting. It will be all right, I think. It will have to be, of course."

But Gertrude still hesitated. Her father was surprised.

"Why, Gertie!" he cried. "What are you standin' there for? 'Tain't
likely you'll go to that meetin' now that John's come all the way from
Boston to see you. Tell him you ain't goin'."

The young lady was plainly much disturbed. She looked at Mr. Doane and
it was evident that she wanted to say something very much indeed. What
she did say, however, was a surprise to everyone.

"I--I ought to go, John," she faltered. "It is a very important meeting.
I can't tell you--now--how important it is."

John's disappointment showed in his look, but his answer was prompt.

"Then go, by all means," he said. "I'll go with you, if I won't be in
the way."

But this self-sacrificing proposal was dubiously received by both the
ladies. Serena shook her head.

"I'm afraid you couldn't do that, John," she said.

"It isn't an open meeting, and men are not admitted. But Gertie doesn't
need to go."

"Yes, I do, Mother."

"No, you don't. I'll explain to Mrs. Lake and the rest. Of course you
won't go and leave John here alone."

"Daddy will be with him and I shall hurry home as soon as I can. I must
go, John; I really must. I will explain why later. If I had only known
that you were coming! If you had only written me! WHY did you come
without writing?"

Captain Dan, fearful of the answer, and indignant at his daughter's
conduct, burst into protest.

"You ought to be glad he's come, anyhow," he declared. "I cal'late he
thought--I don't care, Serena, I've said 'cal'late' all my life, and
I can't help forgettin' once in a while--I suppose John thought he'd
surprise you, Gertie. And now you're goin' to clear out and leave him,
just on account of that--that Chapter of yours. You never used to be
crazy about Chapters. You used to poke fun at 'em. You did and you know
it. But since you've got here to Scarford--I can't help it, Serena; I'm
mad clean through. Can't YOU tell that girl to stay to home where she
belongs?"

"Gertie," began Serena, again; but her daughter wou