light suspicion of yearning that somehow got
into her voice as she said this; at any rate, Miss Sallie thought so,
and wisely decided to let the subject rest awhile.

Marian walked to the fallen parasol, picked it up and opened it.

"I suppose I ought to be going," she said. "Father expects me about
twelve. Your tulips are looking well, for this early," she continued
evenly. "Do you still have the scarlet ones in this bed? And, oh, I
wonder if I can see the courthouse clock from your fence, as I used to!"

She leaned over the pickets, looking; then glanced up the street in the
other direction. Miss Sallie did not miss the significance of this, and
smiled.

"What time is it?" she asked, as Marian turned around.

"I--I really; isn't that funny? I've forgotten!" And to hide a very
genuine embarrassment she leaned again over the pickets; glancing, as
before, up and down the street where the courthouse was, and was not,
but now giving a little exclamation of pleasure.

"He's coming! Your spoiled nephew is at the corner."

She glanced at Miss Sallie, and found that little lady beaming
pleasantly with a "bless you, my children," countenance that sent the
blood flying to her cheeks. She felt suddenly afraid to stay and face
the man from whom, at the last moment and as a last resort, she had fled
to keep from giving a certain answer to his insistent pleadings. She
knew that he would plead again, even after two years of waiting; and, in
a sense, she wanted him to plead, though not just at this spot, nor
until she had gathered up her forces with which she might artfully
resist him awhile longer.

"Well, goodbye, everybody," she said quickly. "I must hurry downtown."

"Without seeing Jeb?" Miss Sallie exclaimed.

"Oh, I'll see him soon. We can't escape each other very long in
Hillsdale," she laughed.

"But, my child, it will only be a minute! You surely----"

Jeb, having entered by the front way, was now heard whistling as he came
through the house, and the next moment he stepped out on the side
veranda; then stopped, crying joyously:

"Marian!"

"Hello, Jeb," she said, advancing with a candor that belied the look
Miss Sallie had surprised half a minute before.

"Oh, Jeb," Miss Veemie glided toward him, "I've been so worried for fear
your gun had exploded and done something! Are you tired, dear?"

This adulation had been a daily occurrence in Jeb's life since he was
four years old, when these adoring aunts had ta