faster, her heart beating at breakneck speed. It was a changed
world that spun past her; fright, triumph, shame, delight, a
gratified vanity swam over her in turn.

A few minutes later she heard once more the rumble of wheels on
the road. It was Cephas Cole driving towards her over the brow of
Saco Hill. "He'll have seen Mark," she thought, "but he can't
know I've talked and driven with him. Ugh! how stupid and common
he looks!"
"I heard your father blowin' the supper-horn jest as I come over
the bridge," remarked Cephas, drawing up in the road. " He stood
in the door-yard blowin' like Bedlam. I guess you 're late to
supper."

"I'll be home in a few minutes," said Patty, "I got delayed and
am a little behindhand."

"I'11 turn right round if you'11 git in and lemme take you
back-along a piece; it'll save you a good five minutes," begged
Cephas, abjectly.

"All right; much obliged; but it's against the rules and you must
drop me at the foot of our hill and let me walk up."

"Certain; I know the Deacon 'n' I ain't huntin' for trouble any
more'n you be; though I 'd take it quick enough if you jest give
me leave! I ain't no coward an' I could tackle the Deacon
to-morrow if so be I had anything to ask him."

This seemed to Patty a line of conversation distinctly to be