Annie Kilburn

"Well," said Mrs. Putney, "whether he goes or stays, I think we owe him

that much. Don't you, Annie?"

"Oh yes!" sighed Annie, from the exaltation to which the events of the

evening had borne her. "And we mustn't let him go. It would be a loss that

every one would feel; that--"

"I'm tired of this fighting," Mrs. Putney broke in, "and I think it's

ruining Ralph every way. He hasn't slept the last two nights, and he's

been all in a quiver for the last fortnight. For my part I don't care what

happens now, I'm not going to have Ralph mixed up in it any more. I think

we ought all to forgive and forget. I'm willing to overlook everything, and

I believe others are the same."

"You'd better ask Mrs. Gerrish the next time she calls," Putney interposed.

Mrs. Putney stopped, and took her hand from her husband's arm. "Well, after

what Mr. Gerrish said to-night about you, I _don't_ think Emmeline had

better call _very_ soon!"

"Ha, ha, ha! Ha, ha, ha!" shrieked Putney, and his laugh flapped back at

them in derisive echo from the house-front they were passing. "I guess

Brother Peck had better stay and help fight it out. It won't be _all_

brotherly love after he goes--or sisterly either."