here name of Tarbox. Might you know him?"

"No," said Mrs. Smith, "I haven't the honor."

"I thought mebby you might know him," said Mrs. Stein. "His business took him
'round considerable, and I thought mebby it might have took him to New York, and
that mebby you might have met him."

Mrs. Bell sighed audibly.

"It's goin' to be an awful trial to Susan if she can't go," she said; "but I
dunno WHAT to say. Seems like I oughtn't to say 'go,' an' yet I can't abear to
say 'stay.'"

"I MUST have Susan," said Mrs. Smith, putting her arm about the girl. "I know
you can trust her with me."

"Clementina," said Mr. Bell suddenly, "why don't you leave it to the minister?
He'd settle it for the best. Why don't you leave it to him? Hey?"

"Well, bless my stars," said Mrs. Bell, brightening with relief, "I'd ought to
have thought of that long ago. He WOULD know what was for the best. I'll ask him
to-morrow."

To-morrow was the picnic day.

As Mrs. Smith led the way for Eliph' Hewlitt, the minister left the group of
women who had clustered about him, and walked toward her.

"Sister Smith," he said, in his grave, kind way, "Sister Bell tells me you want