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    “Yes, what is it?” Ellie asked, though she knew quite well what the news was.
     
    “While you were gone today, and Jon and I we re left alone, he confided in me to keep a secret for him.”
     
    “Well, what’s the secret?”
     
    Marcelle smiled knowingly, “I know why Jon has always been so oblivious to my advancements,” her eyes glittered, “He’s in love with you, Ellie .”
     
    Ellie , putting on her best acting skills, laughed uncomfortably, “Surely that’s not so .  Are you lying to me, Marce ?”
     
    “No, no, of course not, h e told me so himself.”
     
    “Well,” Ellie took a deep breath and let it out, “That certainly wasn’t news I’d expected,” she looked up at Marcelle guiltily and asked, “You’re not angry with me are you ?  Because I know you wanted Jon so much and ... ”
     
    “Angry?” Marcelle laughed, “Well, of course I’m not angry .  I’m happy for you !  Can you believe your luck ?  Jon really is a wonderful man .  He’s so sweet and handsome, and oh, he’s just perfect for you Ellie .”
     
    “Do you really think so?” Ellie asked innocently with a slight smile.
     
    “Oh, yes.”
     
    In truth, Marcelle was very happy for her friend, for even though she had fallen for Jon she hadn’t wanted to marry him or anything like that .  She just wanted a little fun , but still, in the very bottom of her heart, she was jealous of Ellie for she still had feelings for Jon . 
     

Chapter 4 - Felicity and Emily
     
    Marcelle left that afternoon .  Only twenty minutes after her carriage had faded into the distance, Jon ’s horse Penny came bounding up the lane again .  Ellie let him in and they set up a game of checkers in the parlor.
     
    “Brilliant plan I had, don’t you think?” Jon asked as he moved one of his black pawns.
     
    Ellie nodded, “Yes .  Quite good , but how long will we have to keep this act up?”
     
    Jon shrugged, “I’m not sure.”
     
    Ellie rolled her eyes in a joking m ann e r, “Hopefully not too long.”
     
    “Yes,” Jon agreed with a smile, “For I’m sure it’s going to be quite an unpleasant experience for us both.”              
     
    “Oh, yes , q uite unpleasant, indeed.”
     
    Jon laughed, “But in all seriousness, Mae, it won’t be so bad.”
     
    “And we’ll only have to put on the act when Marcelle’s in town, which isn’t so often.”
     
    Jon nodded, “That’s true,” he smiled .  A glitter appeared in his eyes as he said, “But maybe we should start preparing sooner .  Would you like to accompany me for a ride in the country this evening ?  We’ve still got a few hours of light left.”
     
    “All right , o nce we finish this game.”
     
    “Can’t we just go now?”
     
    “You only want to go because you know you’re going to lose.”
     
    “I am not going to lose,” Jon said surely.
     
    He lost two minutes later . 
     
    Ellie put a lightweight red coat over her pale yellow dress and tied a large-brimmed floppy white hat with a red bow fal ling off of the back onto her head .  And Jon wore a brown corduroy blazer and tweed newsboy cap.
     
    “Would you like to sit in front or back, my dear?” Jon asked as pulled her by the hand over to his horse Penny.
     
    Ellie shrugged, “Back, I suppose, would be fine.
     
    “Alright then.”
     
    Jon hopped onto the horse, sliding one leg over to the other side .  He held out his hand to Ellie , “Come on up, Mae .  There’s plenty of room.”
     
    Ellie smiled and took his hand .  Using only a little strength, Jon was able to pull her up onto Penny’s back behind him . 
     
    “Make sure you hold onto tightly,” he warned, “For we won’t exactly be moving slowly, my dear.”
     
    As instructed, Ellie wrapped her arms tightly around Jon ’s waist.
     
    “Ready?” he asked.
     
    “Ready.”
     
    W ith that, they were off .  Through the grassy hills of Donners Bend ’s countryside they rode,