music room, carrying
her fiddle box. Her teacher noticed she played with less spirit than
usual, but had refrained from mentioning it.

She was coming down the steps when King's car dashed up to the door.
Her meetings with him were always unexpected and found her quite
unprepared for the shock to her emotions.

"I've come to take you home, Jinnie," said Theodore, jumping out.

Jinnie's throat filled, and silently she allowed him to help her to
the seat. They were in the flat of the town before he turned to her.

"I haven't given up my plan to take you away for a day," he said
gently.

Jinnie gulped with joy. He was going to ask her again! Lafe and Peg
had said she could go. She waited for him to proceed, which he did
more gravely.

"When I make up my mind to do a thing, I generally do it. Now which
day shall it be, Jinnie?"

"I guess I'll have to let you tell," whispered Jinnie, which whisper
Theo caught despite the noise of the chugging motor.

"Then, to-morrow," he decided, driving up to the cobbler's shop. "I'll
come for you at nine o'clock.... Look at me, Jinnie."

Slowly she dragged a pair of unfathomable blue eyes to his.

"We're going to be happy for one whole beautiful day, Jinnie," said he
hoarsely.

He helped her out, and neither one spoke again. The motor started
away, and the girl rushed into the shop.

Lafe had just said to Peggy, "There they be! He's been after 'er!"

"Lafe, Lafe dear," Jinnie gurgled. "I'm going with 'im to-morrow. All
day with the birds and flowers! Oh, Peggy dear, I'm so happy!"

Mrs. Grandoken glared at her.

"Ugh! 'S if it matters to me whether you're happy or not!"

Jinnie stooped and smothered Bobbie with caresses. With his arms
tightly about her neck, he purred contentedly,

"My stars're all shinin' bright, Jinnie."

"Kiss me, both of you kids!" was all Lafe said.

CHAPTER XXX

WHAT THE FIDDLE TOLD THEODORE

Jinnie looked very sweet when she bade farewell to Peg and Lafe the
next morning. Mr. King's car was at the door, and the cobbler watched
him as he stepped from it with a monosyllabic greeting to the girl and
helped her to the seat next to his. Peggy, too, was craning her neck
for a better view.

"They're thick as thieves," she said, with a dubious shake of her
head.

"I guess he likes 'er," chuckled Lafe. "To make a long story short,
wife, a sight like that does my eyes good!"

Mrs. Grandoken shrugged her shoulders, growled deep in her