in a manner at once manly and generous. He would not even ask for an engagement at present, but he could not go on a day without confessing his desire and resolve; his entire assurance that they loved each other.

What was there to do but consent? He made a few stipulations, feeling in his heart that Charlie's fine sense of honor would have led him to observe them, without any promise being exacted.

When he returned, about noon, the lovers were sitting on the porch in their olden friendly attitude, and Georgie Halford besieging for an afternoon at lawn-tennis, Dick Grayson and several others being promised.

"You see I mean to make hay while the sun shines," she went on, laughingly. "You young collegians will need plenty of out-door exercise after your months of close confinement. If Kathie shelters you in this palace of ease and indolence I shall complain of her; ought I not, Mr. Conover?" wheeling suddenly round.

"She ought not to frustrate your good intentions," he made answer.

"I shall be generous with everybody," said Kathie; 66 even Rob when he comes, and this afternoon I will be at your service."

"And I." Charlie Darrell rose and bowed in a most overwhelming manner.

"Now you ought to stay to luncheon," said Uncle Robert, "and some one will drive you back. The sun is intense."

"How charming of you! Kathie invited me, but she held out no such tempting inducement. Ask me no more; I yield!" sinking into an arm-chair with indolent grace.

So they had a gay little meal, and the three drove back. On Kathie's return there was company to tea, and some gentlemen to see Uncle Robert in the evening. As she was lingering about the hall he came out and gave her a good-night kiss, saying with fervent solemnity,

"God grant you may be happy, my darling."

So Kathie's engagement settled itself very simply and naturally, and the days rolled on quite as before. Even if Charlie Darrell had not, in some degree, been put upon his honor not to compromise Kathie by ultra devotion, his own fine sense of delicacy would have restrained him. He felt sure of her; the rest could wait until the proper time of development.

The Darrells were all delighted, and welcomed the young girl so warmly that her heart was touched anew.

"But they seem like two children playing at love,” Mr. Meredith declared in a rather dissatisfied tone.

"It is better for the present that they should play at love," returned Jessie. "I have always strongly objected to young men forming marriage engagements while at college; their attention is so distracted, their time so taken up with letter-writing and dreaming, that they are good for very little."

"Ilow many college lovers did you have, pray, that you are so well informed?"

Jessie laughed.

"My feeling about it is that a man ought to wait until the right time and then make a regular business of it, love with his whole heart and soul, even if his body be somewhat dilapidated." And a mirthful light shone in his

eyes.

"I suspect there was, and is, a great difference between you and Charlie; and I should not like to see him engrossed, with a headlong passion just now. No, it is best as it is.'

"Well, I hope they will be perfectly happy when their time of awakening comes, for as yet they are only in a summer dream; and I am glad to have Kathie in the family. I feel as if I had some small, undisputed right to her. They have always cared for each other; consequently the regard is not so apparent. But after all,

"There's nothing half so sweet in life
As Love's young dream.'"

CHAPTER XIII.

"DEAR Rob!" Kathie cried joyfully as the young man strode down the platform at the station and caught both hands in his. Then she stood still with a touch of strange

awe.

Yes, the old merry Rob was gone forever. This tall, resolute youth, older looking than his years gave him any warrant, with a determination in the eyes, and a compression about the lips that had laughed so easily, was a man with a man's future, whatever that might be, before him.

"O my precious little home daisy, how delightful it is to see you again! It is really I; you need not look so gravely questioning, as if you might be tempted to deny me; and everybody is well? Has Aunt Ruth come

home?"

"No; you are the first of the long list of arrivals; and they will be so glad to see you, though that goes without telling."

"It is good told, nevertheless; and here are the ponies waiting for me. O Kathie, how many splendid drives we have had behind them!"

He threw in his satchel and then helped her, taking the reins, while his face softened to a half-smile.

"We ought to have a good trot, for my blood rises with the occasion; but they are counting the moments at home, and the trot can wait."

"How thoughtful of you, Rob!" Kathie cried involuntarily.

But

"You do not take into account that the waif and stray might have a little longing for home and friends. how Brookside changes, and how we have changed since Uncle Robert came home; and it seems to me that he has put his impress on the place. Kathie, there is no moving power in the world equal to a true, energetic, high-minded, honorable man."

Kathie's cheek glowed. If Uncle Robert could hear that tribute!

They turned into Cedarwood Avenue.

"Oh, how lovely! Even the very stones look good! It all grows more homelike with the mellowness of time. Oh

-

He reined up the ponies suddenly and sprang out, almost forgetting Kathie in the fond embrace of his mother. But her loyal knight was at her side.

"Fred wants the ponies presently, so we will let them stand," said Uncle Robert.

Rob walked up the steps with his arm about his mother. He was all hers; she felt it in that clasp of protecting tenderness, that indescribable air of affection. The quiver in his voice as he spoke touched her almost to tears. Yes, she had her boy back again with the man's heart.

He had not really grown taller, but it seemed so. He had filled out in chest and shoulders, and his voice had deepened, — lost the merry ring. There was a little look of care in his face, but his eyes were clear and honest, and his whole bearing proud and manly.

"Hillo, Traveller!" and Fred came flying through the

hall.

"O mother mine, you have no more boys!" exclaimed Rob. "I suppose this is the way I used to surprise you in my annual returns. Why, Fred is nearly as tall as the rest of us; but oh, how slim and elegant! We shall have to send you out on the prairies."

Fred colored and laughed.

"At least, there is a good

I have n't your knack of

frame to fat up, you must admit. growing both ways at once; my exceeding intellectuality forbids that. I must run away for a half-hour, and by that time you will have made acquaintance with the others, and may find a few moments for me. Addio."

66

Upon my word! You have style as well as beauty," laughed Rob to his mother. "I never quite came up to that, did I?"

Something in the answering look said that whatever he might have been she would hardly have had him changed. "I suppose I can go up to our room'?"

"You are to have one all to yourself," said Kathie. "Fred has turned his into a sort of museum, and you might find a hospital as well. There are birds and beasts, I believe, in every stage of dilapidation and recovery." "Pastime ere he goes to town.' Well, that is better than But Rob did not finish the sentence. Taking his satchel he followed Kathie.

"Here is dear Aunt Ruth's room," and he paused. "The scent of the rose; you could n't take out all the crimson tints, if you did bring in new lights. How lovely we thought it at first, and what a gathering place it was! We studied our lessons and had our talks and puzzles and comforts, redeemed our stray articles from the inexorable pound, confessed our sins, and nursed all our little aches and pains here. Kathie, I think now no set of children ever had a more delightful childhood! You are quite certain Aunt Ruth won't fail us? I'm wild, too, to see Bruce."

"We think she is on her way, as she has not written in some time."

When Rob rejoined them again he looked fresh as a rose. His year of hard work had not worn on his physique, if it told in other ways. They went out on the porch and talked over the boys, for Rob had not outgrown them.