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