rk I should be.... Hello! here's another
craft at sea."

Another vehicle was ahead of them in the road, coming toward them. Sears
pulled out to permit it to pass. But the driver of the other buggy
hailed as the horses' heads came abreast.

"Elizabeth," he shouted, "is that you?"

Miss Berry's surprise showed in her voice.

"Why, George!" she cried. "Where in the world are you going?"

The horses stopped. Kent leaned forward.

"Going?" he repeated. "Why, I was going after you, of course. Are you
wet through?"

He seemed somewhat irritated, so the captain thought.

"No, indeed," replied Elizabeth. "I am all right. But why did you come
after me? Didn't they tell you I was with Cap'n Kendrick?"

"_They_ told me--yes. But why didn't _you_ tell me you were going to
Orham? I would have driven you over; you know I would."

"You were at work at the store."

"Well, I could have taken the afternoon off.... But there! no use
talking about it out here in this rain. Come on.... Oh, wait until I
turn around. Drive ahead a little, will you?"

This was the first time he had spoken to Sears, and even then his tone
was not too gracious. The captain drove on a few steps, as requested,
and, a moment later, Kent's equipage, now headed in their direction, was
alongside once more.

"Whoa!" he shouted, and both horses stopped. "Come on, Elizabeth," urged
the young man, briskly. "Wait, I'll help you."

He sprang out of his buggy and approached theirs. "Come on," he said,
again. "Quick! It is going to rain harder."

Elizabeth did not move. "But I'm not going with you, George," she said
quietly.

He stared at her.

"Not going with me?" he repeated. "Why, of course you are. I've come on
purpose for you."

"I'm sorry. You shouldn't have done it. You knew I would be all right
with Cap'n Kendrick."

"I didn't even know you were going with him. You didn't say you were
going at all. If you had I----"

"You would have taken another afternoon's holiday. And you know what Mr.
Bassett said about the last one."

"I don't care a--I don't care what he says. I shan't be working very
long for him, I hope.... But there, Elizabeth! Come on, come on! I can
get you home for supper while that old horse of Cahoon's is thinking
about it."

But still she did not move. Sears thought that, perhaps, he should take
a hand.

"Go right ahead, Elizabeth," he said. "George is right about the
horses."

"Of course I am. Come, Elizabeth."

"No,