“I came for the key, Miss Arabella,” Rod pantingly explained, keeping as close to the door as possible.

“H’m, I should think you would not only be afraid but ashamed to come near me after doing such a mean thing as you did this afternoon,” and the invalid fixed her piercing eyes upon the boy.

“W-what did I do?” Rod stammered.

“Do!  Didn’t you put that key down my neck, which gave me such a terrible shock?”

“But it brought you back to life, Miss Arabella, and it stopped your nose bleeding.  Captain Josh said that was the best thing to do, and I guess he was right.”

“Oh, that was what you did it for, was it?”

“Sure.  I never thought of scaring you.  I only wanted to do a good turn, that’s all.”

“But what did you say such things about my nose for, tell me that?”

“Why, did you hear me?  I thought you didn’t know anything.”

“Then you were mistaken.  I heard and knew more than you imagined.”

“The men thought that you were almost dead, Miss Arabella, and they felt very bad.”

“Did they?” the woman questioned, and her voice was softer than usual.  Then she remained silent for a few seconds, looking absently before her.  “See here, Rod,” and she smiled upon the boy for the first time in her life, “I will forgive you for what you said about my nose if you will tell me something.”

“What is it?”

“You remember that fine looking man, with the blue eyes, and hair streaked with grey.”

“Can’t say that I do, Miss Arabella.”

“He was the one who held me in his arms while you dropped that horrid key down my neck.”

“Oh, yes, I know now.”

“Well, Rod, do you think he cared much that I was hurt?”

“Yes, I think he did.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes.  He looked awful scared when you tumbled into the ditch.”

“Ah, I knew it,” and the invalid closed her eyes, while a smile overspread her face.  “I felt from the first that he cared,” she murmured.

Then she lay so perfectly still that Rod thought she had fainted.  He stepped to her side, and touched her hand.

“Miss Arabella,” he began, “have you fainted?”

“Oh, I thought that he was standing by my side,” she simpered.  “I must have been dreaming.”

“No, it’s only me, and I would like to have the key.  They can’t have the wedding till I get back.”

“What wedding?” and the invalid sat suddenly bolt upright.

“Why, Bill Stebbins and Susie Sanders want to get married, and they can’t get into the church ’cos you have the key down your neck.”

“A wedding!  What thoughts of bliss come to my mind at that word,” and Miss Arabella clasped her hands, while her eyes rolled up to the ceiling.

Rod was now becoming very impatient.  He thought of the crowd waiting before the rectory, and Parson Dan’s anxiety.