ining," she said. "I never saw so many
quaint people. There is one girl, a Miss Dean, whom I am really
getting acquainted with. She's as country as can be, but she's very
interesting."

"Humph! she must be. Dean, hey? Daughter of my particular friend, the
ancient mariner, I suppose. I don't like to leave you here. What shall I
tell your mother?"

"Tell her I am quite safe and in perfectly respectable company."

"Humph! I can imagine how respectable she'll think it is. Well, I know
it's useless to urge if you have made up your mind. I don't see where
you get your stubbornness from."

"Don't you? I can guess."

"It isn't from your dad. Now do be careful, won't you? If Victor doesn't
come soon I shall send the carriage."

"Oh, he will come. It's all right, Father, dear. I am quite able to take
care of myself."

Her father shook his head. "Yes," he observed, "I guess you are. All
right, Jenkins."

He got into the carriage and was driven off. Miss Colton turned and
walked back to the tables. I relit my cigar.

Another half-hour passed.

Mullet finished his counting, took up his money box and lantern and left
the gate unguarded. Groups of home-going people began to come down the
hill. Horses, which had been standing under the church sheds or hitched
in neighboring yards, appeared and the various buggies and two-seaters
to which they were attached were filled and driven away. Captain Warren
and Miss Abbie Baker, his housekeeper, were among the first to leave.
Abijah Hammond, the sexton, began taking down the lanterns. The
strawberry festival was almost over.

I rose from my camp chair and prepared to start for home. As I stepped
from behind the shrubbery the moonlight suddenly went out, as if it had
been turned off like a gas jet. Except for the few remaining lanterns
and the gleams from the church windows and door the darkness was
complete. I looked at the western sky. It was black, and low down along
the horizon flashes of lightning were playing. My prophecy of showers
was to be fulfilled.

The ladies of the Methodist Society, assisted by their husbands and male
friends, were hurrying the tables and chairs indoors. I picked up and
folded the chair I had been occupying and joined the busy group. It was
so dark that faces were almost invisible, but I recognized Sim Eldredge
by his voice, and George Taylor and I bumped into each other as we
seized the same table.

"Hello, Ros!" exclaimed the cashier. "Thought