I have not been able to get the little sister's eyes just to suit me." It made no difference to Miss Ruth that Gifford's eyes were gray and full of trouble.

"Aunt Deborah," he said abruptly, "Helen Ward is not going back to Lockhaven for the present.

Indeed, I do not know when she will go." Miss Deborah forgot her gooseberries, in her surprise.

"Not going back!" she cried, while her sister said, "Is Mr.Ward coming here ?" Then Gifford told them the story as briefly as he could, interrupted by small cries of amazement and dismay.

"Well," exclaimed Miss Deborah, her delicate hands uplifted, "well! I never heard of such a thing! How shocking, how ill-bred! And she is going to be at the rectory?
Ruth, my dear, you must never go there without me, do you hear?
It is not proper.
A wife separated from her husband! Dear me, dear me!" "How can she leave him ?" gasped Miss Ruth.