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which he wished to show her. He was a most direct youth, considering that he was, by his mother's confession, a timorous one. There was an odd little smile about his mouth, perhaps because all things looked pleasant right now. His nature was practical rather than sanguine, and built in general only on things achieved, but to-day the fruit was hanging golden on the trees and the grove was one of the few new ones in bearing. He had anticipated the railroad by several years in planting, and now the grove and house were going to bring a figure larger than he ever had hoped for. As the Israelites yearned for Canaan, he was looking towards the pastoral lands of Kentucky. To-day, for the once, he would let this new buoyancy, this unanalyzed optimism run warm in his blood; why not? He was young, he was strong, he was master of his circumstances for the first time. He went up the steps lightly, springily, with a sort of exuberant joy in the mere action. His canvas shoes made no sound. The stairs landed him at his own door. He brought up short. Alexina was standing midway of the threshold; he thought he heard a sob. She turned hurriedly, her hands outspread across the doorway as by instinct. "Don't," she begged; "please go away." Then as he wheeled, "No, wait--" She swallowed before she could speak. "It's Molly," she said; "can you send us back to town? she's--she's--" "Not well," the daughter was trying to say. The boy's straightforward eyes were fixed on hers inquiringly. "What's the use; I can't lie," the girl broke down miserably. "I ought not to have come with her." Her arms dropped from across the doorway. In all perplexity he was waiting. He had a glimpse of Molly within, drooping against the table, and her eyes regarding them with a kind of furtive fear. His hunting flask from out the cellarette was there on the table. The girl was speaking with effort. "I'm sorry; she must have felt bad and found it." She suddenly hid her face in her hands against the casement. That roused him. He felt dazed. It needed a woman here to feel the way. "I'll get mother," he said. "Oh," begged the girl, and quivered; "can't we get back to town without--must she know?" King was growing himself again. "Why," he said, "of all people, yes, mother." He went down the steps two at a time. There was no sensitive apprehension in his manner when he brought her back, as there often was concerning his mother; he
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