wrong. Now I am going to write my letters and take my walk."

Elnora threw her arms around her mother and kissed her repeatedly.
"Don't you worry about me," she said. "I will get along all right, and
whatever happens, I always will be your girl and you my darling mother."

She left two sealed notes on her desk. Then she changed her dress,
packed a small bundle which she dropped with her hat from the window
beside the willow, and softly went down stairs. Mrs. Comstock was in the
garden. Elnora picked up the hat and bundle, hurried down the road a few
rods, then climbed the fence and entered the woods. She took a diagonal
course, and after a long walk reached a road two miles west and one
south. There she straightened her clothing, put on her hat and a thin
dark veil and waited the passing of the next trolley. She left it at the
first town and took a train for Fort Wayne. She made that point just in
time to climb on the evening train north, as it pulled from the station.
It was after midnight when she left the car at Grand Rapids, and went
into the depot to await the coming of day.

Tired out, she laid her head on her bundle and fell asleep on a seat in
the women's waiting-room. Long after light she was awakened by the roar
and rattle of trains. She washed, re-arranged her hair and clothing, and
went into the general waiting-room to find her way to the street. She
saw him as he entered the door. There was no mistaking the tall, lithe
figure, the bright hair, the lean, brown-splotched face, the steady gray
eyes. He was dressed for travelling, and carried a light overcoat and a
bag. Straight to him Elnora went speeding.

"Oh, I was just starting to find you!" she cried.

"Thank you!" he said.

"You are going away?" she panted.

"Not if I am needed. I have a few minutes. Can you be telling me
briefly?"

"I am the Limberlost girl to whom your wife gave the dress for
Commencement last spring, and both of you sent lovely gifts. There is a
reason, a very good reason, why I must be hidden for a time, and I came
straight to you--as if I had a right."

"You have!" answered Freckles. "Any boy or girl who ever suffered one
pang in the Limberlost has a claim to the best drop of blood in my
heart. You needn't be telling me anything more. The Angel is at our
cottage on Mackinac. You shall tell her and play with the babies while
you want shelter. This way!"

They breakfasted in a luxurious car, talked over the swamp, the work