Rather surprised that the door should be shut at all, that evening, Dolly paused involuntarily, and Geordie stood by her side. They had no intention of eavesdropping; indeed, Geordie thought perhaps some new game was about to be announced.
But to Dolly's amazement, she heard Alicia's voice saying, "Oh, I cannot! I dare not!"
The tones were quivering with emotion, and Dolly couldn't help listening for the next words. She feared Alicia was troubled about something; indeed, she didn't know what she feared.
And, next came a voice that was unmistakably; Marly Turner's, saying,
"Do, dear! Oh, TRUST me,—I will take care of you!"
"But it is a desperate step!" exclaimed Alicia, "if I should ever regret it!"
"You will not regret it, dearest," Marly said, "I will never LET you regret it! Your own mother eloped; it is fitting you should do so, too."
Dolly looked at Geordie, her face white with horror.
Alicia, planning an elopement! And with Marly Turner! She laid her hand on the knob of the door.
"Don't!" said Geordie, "don't you get mixed up in a thing like that! Is
Alicia Steele that sort of a girl?"
"I don't know," faltered Dolly. "I heard Bernice hint once that Alicia's mother did elope with her father,—but, Alicia! Why, she isn't seventeen, yet!"