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22 day, so soon. What think you yourself, young man?"

"If 't were not for this arm" murmured Cheeseboro, casting a rueful look at the wounded member as it lay in a sling of red silk handkerchief. The others laughed good-naturedly, and David Alden said:

"Why, if 't were not for that arm there would be no question at all. But as it is, we must not have the kindly intention of its healing disturbed more than can be helped, and I fear me the jar of riding may do it no good. If, now, we had some sober lad to ride behind you and support the bent arm just as it lies "

"Ay, to hold it in his own arm, as it were," suggested Mistress Seabury eagerly. "If it were not that I have the baby to carry, I would do it myself."

"Why might not I do it?" cried a fresh young voice, and hastily looking around, Cheeseboro saw that Priscilla and Alithea had halted close beside the group and were listening to the conversation.

"If you only would, mistress!" exclaimed he ardently, so ardently, indeed, that Betty Seabury's eyes sought her husband's with a many-volumed romance in their depths.

"Why should you not, Pris? " cried she hurriedly, before her mother could utter the slow rebuke upon her lips." Father and mother said but yester eve that you might go home with me for a visit, and father was to spare Ben to carry you and