Page:Zodiac stories by Blanche Mary Channing.pdf/215

198 cry. Ellie threw her arms around his neck and burst into tears.

"Oh, Bertrand, I—I—I 'd do anything to make you well!" she sobbed.

Bertrand was trembling with a new sensation. He kissed Ellie gently.

"It is good to have anyone care so much," he said, hoping she did not notice the sob in his voice.

Ellie sat up again, eager and unsatisfied.

"But you still don't tell me how the spell can be broken!" she cried.

She now believed the legend perfectly. "I want to begin to break it!"

Bertrand was older than most boys of his age, and he had a deeply thoughtful nature.

"I think you are breaking it now, Ellie," he said tenderly.

Ellie almost stamped her little foot.

"I don't know what you mean!" she said.

"Why, before you came, I was