“Look here, Rodney,” he said, “you go after that key as fast as your legs will carry you.”

“Yes, grandad, I will,” and Rod was off like a shot, glad to be free from the staring crowd.

So once more the wedding was delayed, and the murmurs of the waiting people increased.

CHAPTER XI

MISS ARABELLA’S “AFFAIR”

It was the lot of Miss Arabella Simpkins to have lived for over forty years without one real affair of the heart.  There were reasons for this, well known to all the people of Hillcrest.  Not only had her father, a lumberman of considerable repute in his day, been very particular as to the young men who visited the house, but Miss Arabella herself was the chief objection.  She was by no means handsome, and in addition she was possessed of a sharp tongue, and, as Captain Josh truly said, “a long nose which was always prying into other people’s business.”  These frailties naturally increased as she grew older until she became a dread not only to her brother, Tom, but to all her neighbours, especially the children.

She had two redeeming features, however:  a generous heart for those she liked, and considerable money.  This latter had its influence, and made her tolerated in the company of others, where she was indulged with a certain amount of good humour.

But a real romance had never come into Miss Arabella’s life, and this was her great trial.  No suitor had ever sought her out, and with languishing eyes had watched her as she moved among the other maidens of the parish.  Friends of her girlhood days had been more fortunate.  They were married, and had families around them, while she alone had been left “like the last rose of summer,” as she often told herself.

But Miss Arabella never let people know about her trial.  On the contrary, she wished them to believe that her heart had once been won by a handsome and gallant young man.  Just what had become of him, or what had occurred to cause the separation, she would never tell, and only hinted mysteriously with a deep sigh whenever the subject of matrimony was discussed.  People knowing her, always smiled, and among themselves often spoke of Miss Arabella’s “affair.”

The Simpkins’ house was close to the river, and about a quarter of a mile from the rectory by means of a short-cut through the field, though much longer by the main highway.  Rod took the short route, and in a few minutes reached the place.  His heart beat fast as he drew near, for he dreaded meeting Miss Arabella, whose sharp tongue he had good reason to fear.

Tom Simpkins met him at the door, and ushered him into the sitting-room where Miss Arabella was lying upon a sofa near the window.  She was somewhat paler than usual, and very weak.  A look of disappointment appeared upon her face as the door opened and Rod entered.

“Oh, it’s only you,” she complained.  “What brought you here?”