me."

"Yes; that was my reason for asking you to see me." Sophy
spoke simply, without constraint or hesitation.

"I thought he'd promised you--" Anna interposed.

"He did; but he broke his promise. That's what I thought I
ought to tell you."

"Thank you." Anna went on tentatively: "He left Givre this
morning without a word. I followed him because I was
afraid..."

She broke off again and the girl took up her phrase. "You
were afraid he'd guessed? He HAS..."

"What do you mean--guessed what?"

"That you know something he doesn't...something that made
you glad to have me go."

"Oh--" Anna moaned. If she had wanted more pain she had it
now. "He's told you this?" she faltered.

"He hasn't told me, because I haven't seen him. I kept him
off--I made Mrs. Farlow get rid of him. But he's written me
what he came to say; and that was it."

"Oh, poor Owen!" broke from Anna. Through all the