That I never have and never should have, that I never thought of doing such a thing." Then the elder woman's face flushed a burning red, and she knew at once what the girl had suspected.

"You might proclaim it on the house-tops if it would please you," she cried out, vehemently.

"If you think--if you think--" "Oh, I do not!" cried Ellen, in an agony of pleading.

"Indeed, I do not.

It was only that--I--feared lest you might think I would be mean enough to tell." "I would have told, myself, long ago if there had been only myself to consider," said Cynthia, still red with anger, and her voice strained.