mysteriously, placing her finger on
her lips. "We mustn't seem to be waiting for them. Talk to me!"

Huntington tried to obey her instructions during the intervening
moments, but it was obvious that Miss Stevens heard little of what he
said. She was intently watching the steps yet endeavoring to appear
entirely unconcerned. Merry was the first to see them, and she came
forward with her usual animation and enthusiasm.

"We've had a wonderful sail!" she said. "The morning was simply perfect,
and it is such fun to play hide-and-seek among these little islands."

"She knows how to handle a boat all right," Cosden said from behind, but
his tone did not reflect the girl's vivacity.

"Why, it's like sailing a toy boat in a bath-tub," Merry disclaimed.
"You come down to the shore some time when there's a good breeze and
I'll show you some real sailing. Mr. Cosden is such good company!" she
added, turning to the others. "He has given me some really new ideas,
and that is more than one usually gains from a sailing-party. I'm going
to think them over so that I can argue with him more intelligently next
time we have a discussion.--I must run up now and get ready for lunch."

Cosden remained behind.

"Come sit down with us, Connie," Huntington urged.

"I prefer to stand," was the unexpected answer, yet in spite of his
remark he sat down on the piazza rail which Miss Stevens had so recently
vacated. He too looked down the harbor, but his companions realized that
it was not the panorama which interested him. They also sensed the
kindliness of silence. At last he turned toward them.

"I don't know why I shouldn't speak before both of you," he said. "You,
Monty, are my oldest friend, and Miss Stevens has been good enough to
let me take her into my confidence. I want you both to look me over and
tell me what's the matter with me."

"You look perfectly good to me, Connie," Huntington replied lightly,
scenting unpleasantness, and helplessly trying to divert it.

"You know what I mean," Cosden replied brusquely, determined to force
the issue, "and I want you to take me seriously. What you said this
morning gave me a jolt, of course, but it didn't sink in deep enough to
affect my confidence in myself. Now it's gone all the way through and
come out the other side, and at the present moment I feel as big as a
two-spot in a pinochle deck."

"Did she refuse you?" Edith asked, with almost too much eagerness in her
voice.

"Refuse m