The door opened again and a woman looked out inquiringly at the young man standing in the snow with an axe on his shoulder.  Dorian would have to offer a word of explanation to the woman, at least, so he stepped into the path toward the house.

“Good morning,” he said, lifting his hat.  “I’m out to get a Christmas tree for the children over there, and it seems I have startled the young lady who just ran in.”

“Yes,” said the woman.

“I’m sorry to have frightened her, but I’m glad to have found her.  You see, I’ve been searching for her.”

The woman stood in the doorway, saying nothing, but looking with some suspicion at the young man.

“I should like to see her again,” continued Dorian.  “Tell her it’s Dorian Trent.”

“I’ll tell her,” said the woman as she withdrew and closed the door.

The wait seemed long, but it was only a few minutes when the door opened and Dorian was invited to come in.  They passed through the kitchen into the living room where a fire was burning in a grate.  Dorian was given a chair.  He could not fail to see that he was closely observed.  The woman went into another room, but soon returned.

“She’ll be in shortly,” she announced.

“Thank you.”

The woman retired to the kitchen, and presently Carlia came in.  She had taken off her wraps and now appeared in a neat house dress.  As she stood hesitatingly by the door.  Dorian came with outstretched hands to greet her; but she was not eager to meet him, so he went back to his chair.  Both were silent.  He saw it was the same Carlia, with something added, something which must have taken much experience if not much time to bring to her.  The old-time roses, somewhat modified, were in her cheeks, the old-time red tinted the full lips; but she was more mature, less of a girl and more of a woman; and to Dorian she was more beautiful than ever.

“Carlia,” he again ventured, “I’m glad to see you; but you don’t seem very pleased with your neighbor.  Why did you run from me out there?”

“You startled me.”

“Yes; I suppose I did.  It was rather strange, this coming so suddenly on to you.  I’ve been looking for you quite a while.”

“I don’t understand why you have been looking for me.”

“You know why, Carlia.”

“I don’t.”

“You’re just talking to be talking—­but here, this sounds like quarreling, and we don’t want to do that so soon, do we?”

“No, I guess not.”

“Won’t you sit down.”

The girl reached for a chair, then seated herself.

“The folks are anxious about you.  When can you go home?”

“I’m not going home.”

“Not going home?  Why not?  Who are these people, and what are you doing here?”

“These are good people, and they treat me fine.  I’m going to stay—­here.”

“But I don’t see why.  Of course, it’s none of my business; but for the sake of your father and mother, you ought to go home.”