Page:An orchard princess (IA orchardprincess00barbiala).pdf/71

 "Since you are no longer here," she answered, gravely, "how can it concern me?"

"But—er—if I hadn't gone?"

"I shouldn't have minded."

He lighted his briar, leaned elbows on knees, and watched her frankly. Dislike the sun-bonnet as he might, he was forced to acknowledge that it made a charming setting for her face, throwing it into the softest of shadow save where a sunbeam crept past its jealous edge and danced and quivered on the firmly rounded chin. Occasionally, when the head was turned a little toward him, he saw glints of blue under the long golden-brown lashes, and at such moments felt strange thrills of excitement. He found himself wondering with a leaping heart what it would be to have those blue eyes looking straight into his from