minute, after this long, long year of waiting,” answered Archie,
pausing just where the fountain hid them from all eyes, for there
were houses only on one side.
Phebe submitted and never did a plain gold ring slip more easily to
its place than the one he put on in such a hurry that cold December
day. Then one hand went back into the muff red with the grasp he
gave it, and the other to its old place on his arm with a confiding
gesture, as if it had a right there.
“Now I feel sure of you,” said Archie as they went on again, and no
one the wiser for that tender transaction behind the ugly pyramid
of boards. “Mac wrote me that you were much admired by your
church people, and that certain wealthy bachelors evidently had
designs on the retiring Miss Moore. I was horribly jealous, but now
I defy every man of them.?
Phebe smiled with the air of proud humility that was so becoming
and answered briefly: “There was no danger kings could not
change me, whether you ever came or not. But Mac should not
have told you.?
“You shall be revenged on him, then, for, as he told secrets about
you, I’ll tell you one about him. Phebe, he loves Rose!” And Archie
looked as if he expected to make a great sensation with his news.
“I know it.” And Phebe laughed at his sudden change of
countenance as he added inquiringly, “She told you, then??
“Not a word. I guessed it from her letters, for lately she says
nothing about Mac, and before there was a good deal, so I
suspected what the silence meant and asked no questions.?
“Wise girl! Then you think she does care for the dear old fellow??
“Of course she does. Didn’t he tell you so??
“No, he only said when he went away, ‘Take care of my Rose, and
I’ll take care of your Phebe,’ and not another thing could I get out
of him, for I did ask questions. He stood by me like a hero, and
kept Aunt Jane from driving me stark mad with her ‘advice.’ I don’t
forget that, and burned to lend him a hand somewhere, but he
begged me to let him manage his wooing in his own way. And
from what I see, I should say he knew how to do it,” added Archie,
finding it very delightful to gossip about love affairs with his
sweetheart.
“Dear little mistress! How does she behave?” asked Phebe, longing
for news, but too grateful to ask at headquarters, remembering how
generously Rose had tried to help her, even by silence, the greatest
sacrifice a woman can make at such interesting periods.
“Very sweet and shy and charming. I try not to watch but upon my
word I cannot help it sometimes, she is so ‘cunning,’ as you girls
say. When I carry her a letter from Mac she tries so hard not to
show how glad she is that I want to laugh and tell her I know all
about it. But I look as sober as a judge and as stupid as an owl by
daylight, and she enjoys her letters in peace and thinks I’m so
absorbed in my own passion that I’m blind to hers.?
“But why did Mac come away? He says lectures brought him, and
he goes, but I am sure something else is in his mind, he looks so
happy at times. I don’t see him very often, but when I do I’m
conscious that he isn’t the Mac I left a year ago,” said Phebe,
leading Archie away, for inexorable propriety forbade a longer
stay, even if prudence and duty had not given her a reminding
nudge, as it was very cold, and afternoon church came in an hour.
“Well, you see Mac was always peculiar, and he cannot even grow
up like other fellows. I don’t understand him yet, and am sure he’s
got some plan in his head that no one suspects, unless it is Uncle
Alec. Love makes us all cut queer capers, and I’ve an idea that the
Don will distinguish himself in some uncommon way. So be