Eloise turned to him, with her deep eyes soft with luminous mist.  “I haven’t thanked you,” she said, “for all you have done for my little girl.”  She lifted her sweet face to his.

“If you’re going to thank me like that,” said Allan, huskily, “I’ll cut up the whole township and not even bother to save the pieces.”

“You needn’t,” laughed Eloise, “but it was dear of you.  You’ve never done anything half so lovely in all your life.”

“It was you who did it, dear.  I was but the humble instrument in your hands.”

“Was Barbara glad?”

“I think so.  She kissed me, too, but not like that.”

“Did she, really?  The sweet, shy little thing.  Bless her heart.”

“I infer, Miss Wynne,” remarked Allan, in a judicial tone, “that you’re not jealous.”

“Jealous?  I should say not.  Anybody who can get you away from me,” she added, as an afterthought, “can have you with my blessing and a few hints as to your management.”

[Sidenote:  Really Glad]

“Safe offer,” he commented.  “Are you really glad I’ve done what I have for Barbara?”

“Oh, my dear!  So glad!”

“Then,” suggested Allan, hopefully, “don’t you think I should be thanked again?”

* * * * *

“I forgot to ask you about that dear old man,” said Eloise, after a little.  “Is he going to be all right, too?”

“Pretty much so, I think.  We’re very sure that he can see a little—­he will not be totally blind.  He will probably need glasses, but there will be plenty of time for that.  His heart is the main trouble now.  Any sudden excitement or shock might easily prove fatal.”

“Of course he won’t have that.”

[Sidenote:  Will It Last?]

“We’ll hope not, but life itself is more or less exciting and you can never tell what’s going to break loose next.  I have long since ceased to be surprised at anything, except the fact that you love me.  I can’t get used to that.”

“You will, though,” said Eloise, a little sadly.  “You’ll get so used to it that you won’t even look up when I come into the room—­you’ll keep right on reading your paper.”

“Impossible.”

“That’s what they all say, but it’s so.”

“Have all your previous husbands changed so quickly that you’re afraid to try me?”

“I’ve seen it so much,” sighed Eloise.

A great light broke in upon Allan.  “Is that why?” he demanded, putting his arm around her.  “No, you needn’t try to get away, for you can’t.  Is that why I’m sentenced to all this infernal waiting?”

Eloise bit her lips and did not answer.

“Is it?” he asked, authoritatively.

“A little,” she whispered.  “This is so sweet, and sometimes I’m afraid——­”

“Darling!  Darling!” he said, drawing her closer.  “You make me ashamed of my fellowmen when you say that.  But do you want the year to stand still always at June?”