ou will," as if that were a thing to be
expected. "But you will be coming back to your aunt here." But of this
Maimie could not be sure.

"Oh, yes, you will come," he said, confidently; "I am sure you will
come. Harry is coming, and you will come, too." And having settled this
point, he turned Lisette and from that out gave his attention to his
driving. The colt seemed to realize the necessity of making a display
of her best speed, and without any urging, she went along the concession
road, increasing her speed at every stride till she wheeled in at the
gate. Then Ranald shook the lines over her back and called to her.
Magnificently Lisette responded, and swept up to the door with such
splendid dash that the whole household greeted her with waving applause.
As the colt came to a stand, Maimie stepped out from the buckboard, and
turning toward Ranald, said in a low, hurried voice: "O, Ranald, that
was splendid, and I am so happy; and you will be sure to come?"

"I will come," said Ranald, looking down into the blue eyes with a look
so long and steady and so full of passionate feeling that Maimie knew he
would keep his word.

Then farewells were said, and Ranald turned away, Harry and Mrs. Murray
watching him from the door till he disappeared over the church hill.

"Well, that's the finest chap I ever saw," said Harry, with emphasis.
"And what a body he has! He would make a great half-back."

"Poor Ranald! I hope he will make a great and good man," said his aunt,
with a ring of sadness in her voice.

"Why poor, auntie?"

"I'm sure I do not know," she said, with a very uncertain smile playing
about her mouth. Then she went upstairs and found Maimie sitting at the
window overlooking the church hill, and once more she knew how golden is
silence. So she set to work to pack Maimie's trunk for her.

"It will be a very early start, Maimie," she said, "and so we will get
everything ready to-night."

"Yes, auntie," said Maimie, going to her and putting her arms about her.
"How happy I have been, and how good you have been to me!"

"And how glad I have been to have you!" said her aunt.

"Oh, I will never forget you! You have taught me so much that I never
knew before. I see everything so differently. It seems easy to be good
here, and, oh! I wish you were not so far away from me, auntie. I am
afraid--afraid--"

The tears could no longer be denied. She put her head in her aunt's lap
and sobbed out her heart's overflow.