CHAPTER XXIV.
WORE A ROSE ON HIS COAT.
Henry was absent nearly a week, and upon returning he did not refer to the business that had so peremptorily called him away.

Mrs.
Witherspoon still had a fear that it might be a love affair, and Ellen had a fear that it might not be.

To keep the young woman's interest alive a mystery was necessary, and to free the mother's love from anxiety unrestrained frankness was essential.

And so there was not enough of mystery to thrill the girl nor enough of frankness to satisfy the mother.

In this way a week was passed.
"I don't see why you make so much of it," Witherspoon said to his wife.