as nothing to do but wait until she came back, and her mother
was not in the least uneasy but that the girl would return brave and
self-reliant, as always.

Philip Ammon hurried back to the Limberlost, strong in the hope that now
he might take Elnora into his arms and receive her promise to become his
wife. His first shock of disappointment came when he found her gone.
In talking with Mrs. Comstock he learned that Edith Carr had made an
opportunity to speak with Elnora alone. He hastened down the road to
meet her, coming back alone, an agitated man. Then search revealed the
notes. His read:

DEAR PHILIP:

I find that I am never going to be able to answer your question of this
afternoon fairly to all of us, when you are with me. So I am going away
a few weeks to think over matters alone. I shall not tell you, or even
mother, where I am going, but I shall be safe, well cared for, and
happy. Please go back home and live among your friends, just as you
always have done, and on or before the first of September, I will write
you where I am, and what I have decided. Please do not blame Edith
Carr for this, and do not avoid her. I hope you will call on her and be
friends. I think she is very sorry, and covets your friendship at least.
Until September, then, as ever,

ELNORA.

Mrs. Comstock's note was much the same. Philip was ill with
disappointment. In the arbour he laid his head on the table, among the
implements of Elnora's loved work, and gulped down dry sobs he could
not restrain. Mrs. Comstock never had liked him so well. Her hand
involuntarily crept toward his dark head, then she drew back. Elnora
would not want her to do anything whatever to influence him.

"What am I going to do to convince Edith Carr that I do not love her,
and Elnora that I am hers?" he demanded.

"I guess you have to figure that out yourself," said Mrs. Comstock. "I'd
be glad to help you if I could, but it seems to be up to you."

Philip sat a long time in silence. "Well, I have decided!" he said
abruptly. "Are you perfectly sure Elnora had plenty of money and a safe
place to go?"

"Absolutely!" answered Mrs. Comstock. "She has been taking care of
herself ever since she was born, and she always has come out all right,
so far; I'll stake all I'm worth on it, that she always will. I don't
know where she is, but I'm not going to worry about her safety."

"I can't help worrying!" cried Philip. "I can think of fifty things
that may happen