n's
two companions. "Why didn't you think of that?" asked each of the other
in mock contempt. The youth felt his growing insignificance reach
completeness as Ravenel said,

"In that case you'll not need Mr. March any longer."

"No, of course not," said John, quickly. "I was"--he forced a cough.

The other two waved good-by, and he turned to go with them, but was
stopped.

"Don't you want to see me about something else, Mr. March?" said
Ravenel, to detain him.

"No, sir," replied John, innocently. "Oh, no, I was----"

There came between them, homeward bound, an open parasol, a mist of
muslin as sweet as a blossoming tree, a bow to Mr. Ravenel, and then a
kinder one to John.

"Go," said Ravenel, softly. "Didn't you see? She wants you."

John overtook the dainty figure, lifted his military cap, and slackened
his pace.

"Miss Fannie?" he caught step with her.

"Oh!--why good morning." She was delightfully cordial.

"Did you want to see me?" he asked. "Mr. Ravenel thought you did."

Fannie raised her brows and laughed.

"Why, really, Mr. Ravenel oughtn't to carry his thinking to such an
excess. Still, I'm not sorry for the mistake--unless you are." She
glanced at him archly. "Come on," she softly added, "I do want to see
you."

XX.

FANNIE SUGGESTS

"Don't look so gruesome." She laughed.

John walked stiffly, frowned, and tried to twist the down on his upper
lip. When only fenced and gardened dwellings were about them she spoke
again.

"John, I'm unhappy."

"You, Miss Fannie?"

"Yes. As I passed you, you were standing right where you fell five years
ago. For three days I've been thinking how deep in debt to you I've been
ever since, and--how I've disappointed you."

The youth made no answer. He felt as if he would give ten years of his
life to kneel at her feet with his face in her hands and whisper, "Pay
me a little love." She laid her arm on her cottage gate, turned her face
away, and added,

"And now you're disappointing me."

"I've got a right to know how, Miss Fannie, haven't I?"

Fannie's averted face sank lower. Suddenly she looked fondly up to him
and nodded. "Come, sit on the steps a minute"--she smiled--"and I'll
pick you a rose."

She skipped away. As she was returning her father came out.

"Why, howdy, Johnnie--Fan, I reckon I'll go to the office."

"You promised me you wouldn't!"

"Well, I'm better since I took some quinine. How's y' father, Johnnie?"

"Sir? Oh, s