"What do you mean, aunt Deborah ?" But his aunt seemed reluctant to speak, and looked after Miss Ruth, who was walking slowly up the mossy path, flecked here and there by patches of sunshine that fell through the flickering leaves above her.

When she was quite out of hearing, Miss Deborah said mysteriously,-- "Well, perhaps; I might tell you; you are not like any one else.

Ruth thinks I cannot keep a secret, but then you know your dear aunt Ruth does not discriminate.

You are quite different from the public." "Well, and what is it ?" he said impatiently, and with a horrible foreboding.
"Why, it is settled," answered Miss Deborah; "it is all settled between Lois and young Forsythe.

Arabella Forsythe told Adele Dale, and Adele Dale told me; quite privately, of course.