Margaret did “go on west,” and it was while she was still in the west that she received a letter from Patty, a portion of which ran thus:
“Mebbe youd like to know about Bobby McGinnis. Bobby is goin to get married. She seemed to comfort him lots after you went. Shes that pretty and sympathizing in her ways you know. I think he was kind of surprised hisself, but the first thing he knew he was in love with her. I think he felt kind of bad at first on account of you. But I told him that was all nonsense, and that I knew youd want him to do it. I think his feelins for you was more worship than love, anyhow. He didn’t never seem happy even when he was engaged to you. But hes happy now, and Arabella thinks hes jest perfect. Oh, I told you twas Arabella didn’t I? Well, tis. And say its her thats been learnin me to spell. Ain’t it jest grand?”
Not very many days later Frank Spencer at Hilcrest received a small card on which had been written:
“Mrs. Patty Durgin announces the engagement of her sister, Arabella Murphy, to Mr. Robert McGinnis.”
Beneath, in very fine letters was: “I’m coming home the eighteenth. Please tell Della; and—you may tell her anything else that you like. Margaret.”
For a moment the man stared at the card with puzzled eyes; then he suddenly understood.
“Della,” he cried joyously, a minute later, “Della, she’s coming the eighteenth!”
“Who’s coming the eighteenth?”
Frank hesitated. A light that was half serious, half whimsical, and wholly tender, came into his eyes.