And,--all the way along, I kept feeling worse and worse,--meaner and meaner--at the life of deceit I was leading.

I made good in the pictures,--and oh, Patty, will you _ever_ forgive me for taking Baby over there! But I knew she was safe with me, and, like all the rest, I didn't realise how bad I was! "I don't ask or expect forgiveness,--I know you couldn't grant _that_.
But lately I felt I couldn't go on any longer,--and I couldn't bring myself to confess,--so,--I ran away." "And you are really Alice Adams ?" asked Farnsworth, but Phil interrupted.
"Wait a minute, everybody.

Before Azalea--or Alice,--or whoever she is, says another word, I want to say that she is my promised wife! I want you, dear, and whatever your name is, I want it to be changed to Van Reypen.

Tell me,--tell them all,--that you consent." A beautiful expression came over the girl's face.
She turned to Philip, her soft, dark eyes shining with utter joy and a tender smile of glad surprise curving her quivering lips.
"Oh," she breathed, "oh, _Phil_!" "You _do_ consent ?" he urged, "you must say yes, before you tell us any more!" "May I, Patty ?" and a shy, sweet face looked questioningly at the one she was glad to consider her mentor.
"I think so," Patty smiled back, for she knew how matters stood with Phil, and she had faith in the true heart of the girl beside her.
"Yes, then," she said, softly, looking at Philip,--and that was their troth-plight.
"Go on, dear," he said, briefly, and with a glad smile in his eyes.
"There's little more to tell; I am Alice Adams, and my father was born in Boston--" "Good gracious, Phil!" Patty cried.

"Why, this child is a real Adams!" "Of course she is," said Farnsworth, "I knew the Adamses that lived in Horner's Corners.