I do like you! There! I must go to my room: I'm all shaky still." Half across the room she stopped and put out a shoe.
"Why---" she began faintly.
There was a curious rusty-looking splash upon it; and her husband saw her turn white.

He rose abruptly.
"My dear," he said, "don't be foolish." She looked at him, smiled bravely, and went out.
* * * * * When she was gone, he still sat on a moment where she bad left him.

Dear me! how pleased he was! He did not like to think of what life would have been without her.

He had known her since she was twelve--that was seven years ago-and last year they had gone together to the district official to make their contract.

She had really become very necessary to him.