. She looks
like she hadn't slept a wink last night, and to-day's news is enough to
get any one crazy! You'll excuse her, I know, if she doesn't go back
with you."

"You're a right good woman, Ellen," Mr. Merryvale replied, "and likely
you'll understand. We want Hertha to be with us very much."

The white girl moved to where Ellen stood and, clasping her erstwhile
sister by the arm, pressed close to the strong figure as though nothing
should draw her away.

"Hertha is over twenty-one," Ellen remarked, "I suppose that gives her
the right to do as she likes."

Mr. Merryvale looked at the two young women and then addressed himself
directly to Hertha. He seemed very impressive as he stood before her
clad in his long coat. His voice was more serious than usual, and he
spoke gently, with deliberation.

"Everybody in Merryvale has heard of your good fortune, Hertha," he
said, "and I reckon the earth won't be a day older before everybody
knows it up and down the river. It's a wonderful story and if you lived
in the city the newspaper men would be rushing in and taking your
picture, and they only know what foolishness they might say. For a
little time you'll be a person of prominence. Now, I understand there
isn't anything your mammy wouldn't do for you, but right now she can't
help you, you need the protection of my home. Everybody's wondering if
it's true, and asking themselves and others all sorts of questions. If
you come with me the questions will stop, and you will be Hertha Ogilvie
to all the world. Miss Patty would have come herself," he added, "but
she didn't feel rightly that she could walk so far."

"Of course not," Hertha assented, her affection for her mistress at once
asserting itself, "she never walks as far as this."

"Don't you think then that you had better come with me like a wise young
lady? Mammy and Ellen will know that your affection for them has not
changed, and they will be glad to have you escape any gossip or unkind
talk. It isn't like we were strangers to you. You love my sister and she
loves you and will be glad to advise you regarding the new place you
will take in the world. Maggie," he said, turning to the older woman,
"you understand, and I think Ellen is beginning to. I leave it to you
both to convince Hertha that she will do best by coming with me. Your
chickens look likely this year," he said with apparent irrelevance, "I'm
going out to see them;" and with a slow step he left the room.