Then she remained silent for a few seconds, looking absently before
her. "See here, Rod," and she smiled upon the boy for the first time
in her life, "I will forgive you for what you said about my nose if you
will tell me something."
"What is it?"
"You remember that fine looking man, with the blue eyes, and hair
streaked with grey."
"Can't say that I do, Miss Arabella."
"He was the one who held me in his arms while you dropped that horrid
key down my neck."
"Oh, yes, I know now."
"Well, Rod, do you think he cared much that I was hurt?"
"Yes, I think he did."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes. He looked awful scared when you tumbled into the ditch."
"Ah, I knew it," and the invalid closed her eyes, while a smile
overspread her face. "I felt from the first that he cared," she
murmured.
Then she lay so perfectly still that Rod thought she had fainted. He
stepped to her side, and touched her hand.
"Miss Arabella," he began, "have you fainted?"
"Oh, I thought that he was standing by my side," she simpered. "I must
have been dreaming."
"No, it's only me, and I would like to have the key. They can't have
the wedding till I get back."
"What wedding?" and the invalid sat suddenly bolt upright.
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