saved considerable money from the remains of an immense estate
he had once possessed and so was able to do anything for his grandchild
that he desired. In New York and elsewhere Colonel James Hathaway had a
host of influential friends, but he was shy of meeting them since his
late unpleasant experiences.

Mary Louise, for her part, was devotedly attached to her grandfather
and preferred his society to that of any other person. As the erect
form of the old gentleman sauntered away through the trees she looked
after him affectionately and wagged her little head with hearty
approval.

"This is just the place for Gran'pa Jim," she mused. "There's no one to
bother him with questions or sympathy and he can live as quietly as he
likes and read those stuffy old books--the very name 'classics' makes
me shudder--to his heart's content. He'll grow stronger and happier
here, I'm sure."

Then she turned anew to revel in the constantly shifting view of river
and woodland that extended panoramically from her seat in the pavilion.
As her eyes fell on the old cottage opposite she was surprised to see a
dishpan sail through the open window, to fall with a clatter of broken
dishes on the hard ground of the yard. A couple of dish-towels
followed, and then a broom and a scrubbing-brush--all tossed out in an
angry, energetic way that scattered them in every direction. Then on
the porch appeared the form of a small girl, poorly dressed in a shabby
gingham gown, who danced up and down for a moment as if mad with rage
and then, observing the washtub, gave it a kick which sent it rolling
off the porch to join the other utensils on the ground.

Next, the small girl looked around her as if seeking more inanimate
things upon which to vent her anger, but finding none she dashed into
the cottage and soon reappeared with a much-worn straw hat which she
jammed on her flaxen head and then, with a determined air, walked down
the plank and marched up the path toward the bridge--the same direction
that old Cragg had taken a short time before.

Mary Louise gave a gasp of amazement. The scene had been dramatic and
exciting while it lasted and it needed no explanation whatever. The
child had plainly rebelled at enforced drudgery and was going--where?

Mary Louise sprang lightly from her seat and ran through the grounds to
their entrance. When she got to the road she sped along until she came
to the bridge, reaching one end of it just as the other girl