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"Miss Barlow," Bell said, when Katy was gone, "you will forgive one for repeating that story as I did Of course I had no idea it was you of who"

Bell was very earnest, and her eyes looked pleadingly upon Aunt Betsy, who answered her back: "There's nothing to forgive You only told the truth I did ht decision, o to the playhouse I confessed that to the sewing circle, and Mrs Deacon Bannister ain't seemed the same toward me since, but I don't care I beat her on the election to first directress of the Soldiers' Aid She didn't run half as well asto you? Is he your beau?"

It was Bell's turn now to blush and then grohite, while Helen lightly touching the superb diaer, said: "That indicates as much When did it happen, Bell?"

Mrs Cameron had said they were not a family to bruit their affairs abroad, and if so, Bell was not like her family, for she answered frankly: "Just before he went away It's a splendid diamond, isn't it?" and she held it up for Helen to inspect

The basket was empty by this time, and as Aunt Betsy went to fill it from the trees, Bell and Helen were left alone, the for in a low, sad tone: "I've been so sorry sometimes that I did not tell Bob I loved him, when he wished me to so much"

"Not tell him you loved him! How then could you tell him yes, as it appears you did?" Helen asked, and Bell answered: "I could not well help that; it ca my promise would make him a better ht before he went, and so I said that out of pity and patriotisive the promise, and I did, but it seemed too much for a woman to tell a man all at once that she loved him, and I wouldn't do it, but I've been sorry since; oh, so sorry, during the two days e heard nothing from him after that dreadful battle at Bull Run We kneas in it, and I thought I should die until his telegra he was safe I did sit down then and co all I felt, but I tore it up, and he don't kno just how I feel"