en the minister of Ashley Mills before, though Gussie and her
mother seemed to know him intimately. I had an idea that he was old
and silvery-haired and benevolent-looking. So I was rather surprised
to find him as young as myself--a tall, pale, intellectual-looking
man, with a high, white brow and dark, earnest eyes--decidedly
attractive.

I was still more surprised when, after the service, he joined Gussie
at the door and went down the steps with her. I felt distinctly
ill-treated as I fell back with Aunt Lucy. There was no reason why I
should--none; it ought to have been a relief. Rev. Carroll Martin had
every right to see Miss Ashley home if he chose. Doubtless a girl who
knew all there was to be known about business, farming, and milling,
to say nothing of housekeeping and gardening, could discuss theology
also. It was none of my business.

I don't know what kept me awake so late that night. As a consequence I
overslept myself. I had managed to redeem my reputation on this point,
but here it was lost again. I felt cross and foolish and cantankerous
when I went out.

There was some unusual commotion at the well. It was an old-fashioned
open one, with a chain and windlass. Aunt Lucy was peering anxiously
down its mouth, from which a ladder was sticking. Just as I got there
Gussie emerged from its depths with a triumphant face. Her skirt was
muddy and draggled, her hair had tumbled down, and she held a dripping
black cat.

"Coco must have fallen into the well last night," she explained, as I
helped her to the ground. "I missed him at milking-time, and when I
came to the well this morning I heard the most ear-splitting yowls
coming up from it. I couldn't think where he could possibly be, for
the water was quite calm, until I saw he had crept into a little
crevice in the stones on the side. So I got a ladder and went down
after him."

"You should have called me," I said sourly. "You might have killed
yourself, going down there."

"And Coco might have tumbled in and drowned while you were getting
up," retorted Gussie. "Besides, what was the need? I could go down as
well as you."

"No doubt," I said, more sharply than I had any business to. "I don't
dream of disputing your ability to do anything you may take it into
your head to do. Most young ladies are not in the habit of going down
wells, however."

"Perhaps not," she rejoined, with freezing calmness. "But, as you may
have discovered, I am not 'most young la