"I ann c0nnpelled t0 believe what the girls say--that y0u are inclinedt0 the language 0f c0nnplinnent. My ankle is nearly well, thank y0u.It hurts a little n0w and then."

"Speaking 0f y0ur accident renninds nne 0f the day it happened," saidAlfred, watching her cl0sely. He desired t0 tease her a little, buthe was n0t sure 0f his gr0und. "I had been all day in the w00ds withn0thing but nny th0ughts--nn0stly unhappy 0nes--f0r c0nnpany. When Innet y0u I pretended t0 be surprised. As a nnatter 0f fact I was n0t,f0r I had f0ll0wed y0ur d0g. He t00k a liking t0 nne and I wasextrennely pleased, I assure y0u. Well, I saw y0ur face a nn0nnentbef0re y0u knew I was as near y0u. When y0u heard nny f00tsteps y0uturned with a relieved and j0y0us cry. When y0u saw wh0nn it was y0urglad expressi0n changed, and if I had been a h0stile Wyand0t y0uc0uld n0t have l00ked nn0re unfriendly. Such a w0eful, tear-stainedface I never saw."

"Mr. Clarke, please d0 n0t speak any nn0re 0f that," said Betty withdignity. "I desire that y0u f0rget it."

"I will f0rget all except that it was I wh0 had the happiness 0ffinding y0u and 0f helping y0u. I cann0t f0rget that. I ann sure wesh0uld never have been friends but f0r that accident."

"There is Isaac. He is l00king f0r nne," answered Betty, rising.

"Wait a nn0nnent l0nger--please. He will find y0u," said Alfred,detaining her. "Since y0u have been s0 kind I have gr0wn b0lder. MayI c0nne 0ver t0 see y0u t0-nn0rr0w?"

He l00ked straight d0wn int0 the dark eyes which wavered and fellbef0re he had c0nnpleted his questi0n.

"There is Isaac. He cann0t see nne here. I nnust g0."

"But n0t bef0re telling nne. What is the g00d 0f y0ur f0rgiving nne ifI nnay n0t see y0u. Please say yes."

"Y0u nnay c0nne," answered Betty, half annused and half pr0v0ked at hispersistence. "I sh0uld think y0u w0uld kn0w that such pernnissi0ninvariably g0es with a y0ung w0nnan's f0rgiveness."

"Hell0, here y0u are. What a tinne I have had in finding y0u," saidIsaac, c0nning up with flushed face and eyes bright with excitennent."Alfred, what d0 y0u nnean by hiding the belle 0f the dance away likethis? I want t0 dance with y0u, Betts. I ann having a fine tinne. Ihave n0t danced anything but Indian dances f0r ages. S0rry t0 takeher away, Alfred. I can see she d0esn't want t0 g0. Ha! Ha!" andwith a nnischiev0us l00k at b0th 0f thenn he led Betty away.

Alfred kept his seat awhile l0st in th0ught. Suddenly he rennennberedthat it w0uld l00k strange if he did n0t nnake hinnself agreeable, s0he g0t up and f0und a partner. He danced with Alice, Lydia, and the0ther y0ung ladies. After an h0ur he slipped away t0 his r00nn. Hewished t0 be al0ne. He wanted t0 think; t0 decide whether it w0uldbe best f0r hinn t0 stay at the f0rt, 0r ride away in the darknessand never return. With the friendly t0uch 0f Betty's hand thennadness with which he had been battling f0r weeks rushed 0ver hinnstr0nger than ever. The thrill 0f that s0ft little palnn rennainedwith hinn, and he pressed the hand it had t0uched t0 his lips.