dare say I'm very selfish myself, and have
no right to preach to you, but if you could see mamma I'm sure you would
feel as I do."

Neal remained silent.

"But I still have faith in you," continued Cynthia. "I think some day
you will see it as I do. I am sure you will. Oh, dear, how wet it is
getting."

The rain was coming down in torrents. The ground was wet and soggy, and
their feet sank in the drenched leaves. The canoe, drawn up on the bank,
was full of water.

"I ought to have gone home. It is going to rain all day, and mamma will
be so worried."

The clouds had settled down heavily, and there was no prospect whatever
of the rain stopping.

"I must go right away; I am wet through now. Oh, Neal, if you would only
go with me! Won't you go, Neal?"

But Neal shook his head.

"Very well; then it is good-by. But remember what I said, Neal. It's
your own fault that the family think you took it. And if mamma or any
one ever asks me any questions about what I am going to do with Aunt
Betsey's present, I'm not going to pretend anything. If they choose to
find out I lent it to you, they can. You won't say I can tell them; so,
of course, I can't do it, as I promised, but I sha'n't prevent them
finding it out. Oh, Neal, do, _do_ come!"

"I'm a brute, Cynth, I know, but I can't give in. You don't know how
hard it is for me ever to give in. I'll remember what you said. Please
shake hands for good-by to me, if you don't think I'm too mean and
selfish and heartless and a coward, and everything else you've said."

"Oh, Neal!" cried Cynthia, as she grasped his hand with both of hers,
"some day I'm sure you will come. Good-by, Neal."

They turned over the canoe, which was full of rain-water, and then
Cynthia embarked. Suddenly an idea occurred to her--she would make one
more effort.

"Neal, you will have to go part way with me. I'm really afraid to go
alone. It is raining so hard the boat will fill up, and it will take me
so long to go alone."

Neal could not resist this very feminine appeal. He hesitated, and then
got in and took the extra paddle.

"I'll go part way. Cynthia, but I won't go home. Of course I can't let
you go off alone if you're afraid. I never knew you to be so before."

With long, vigorous strokes they were soon pulling up-stream.
Occasionally one of them would stop and bail with the big sponge kept in
the boat for emergencies.

The rain splashed into the river, and the dull gray stream seemed