he allowed it would do no harm to keep a strict watch of
her movements.

"Good-bye, Pluma, dearest," he said, "I shall keep you constantly
advised of my whereabouts. As soon as matters can be arranged
satisfactorily, I am coming back to claim you."

Another moment and she was alone, walking slowly back to the house, a
very torrent of anger in her proud, defiant heart.

"I must hurry matters up, delays are dangerous," she thought, walking
slowly up the broad path toward the house.

* * * * *

Slowly the long hours of the night dragged themselves by, yet Daisy
did not return to Glengrove. The hours lengthened into days, and days
into weeks, still there was no trace of her to be found. Gertie's
explanation readily accounted for her absence.

"She preferred to leave us rather than deliver my note," she said,
angrily; "and I for one am not sorry she has gone."

"Rex did not mention having received it," said Bess, "when he came
with Birdie to bid us good-bye."

"She probably read it and destroyed it," said Gertie, "Well, there was
nothing in it very particular. Toward the last of it I mentioned I
would send the note over by Daisy Brooks, my mother's companion. More
than likely she took umbrage at that."

"That was a very unkind remark," asserted Eve. "You had no business to
mention it at all; it was uncalled for."

"Well, she would not have known it if she had not read it," replied
Gertie. "You must admit that."

Mrs. Glenn felt sorely troubled. In the short time Daisy had been with
her she had put unlimited confidence in her.

No one thought of searching for her; they all accepted the facts as
the case presented itself to them. Daisy had certainly left them of
her own free will.

Eve alone felt distressed.

"I know everything looks that way, but I shall never believe it," she
cried.

She remembered the conversation she had so lately had with Daisy. How
she had clasped her loving little arms about her neck, crying out:

"Pray for me, Eve. I am sorely tried. My feet are on the edge of a
precipice. No matter what I may be tempted to do, do not lose faith in
me, Eve; always believe in me."

Poor little Daisy! what was the secret sorrow that was goading her on
to madness? Would she ever know?

Where was she now? Ah, who could tell?

A curious change seemed to come over romping, mischievous, merry Eve;
she had grown silent and thoughtful.

"I could never believe