strangers
for the trouble they were taking. She felt how good every one was, and
how wonderfully kind and generous was the world that she lived in.

Her brother came over to the carriage and bowed with mock courtesy.

"I trust, now that we have done all the work," he said, "that your
excellencies will condescend to share our frugal fare, or must we bring
it to you here?"

The clay oven stood in the middle of a hut of laced twigs, through
which the smoke drifted freely. There was a row of wooden benches
around it, and they all seated themselves and ate ravenously of rice
and fried plantains, while the woman patted and tossed tortillas
between her hands, eyeing her guests curiously. Her glance fell upon
Langham's shoulder, and rested there for so long that Hope followed the
direction of her eyes. She leaped to her feet with a cry of fear and
reproach, and ran toward her brother.

"Ted!" she cried, "you are hurt! you are wounded, and you never told
me! What is it? Is it very bad?" Clay crossed the floor in a stride,
his face full of concern.

"Leave me alone!" cried the stern brother, backing away and warding
them off with the coffeepot. "It's only scratched. You'll spill the
coffee."

But at the sight of the blood Hope had turned very white, and throwing
her arms around her brother's neck, hid her eyes on his other shoulder
and began to cry.

"I am so selfish," she sobbed. "I have been so happy and you were
suffering all the time."

Her brother stared at the others in dismay. "What nonsense," he said,
patting her on the shoulder. "You're a bit tired, and you need rest.
That's what you need. The idea of my sister going off in hysterics
after behaving like such a sport--and before these young ladies, too.
Aren't you ashamed?"

"I should think they'd be ashamed," said MacWilliams, severely, as he
continued placidly with his supper. "They haven't got enough clothes
on."

Langham looked over Hope's shoulder at Clay and nodded significantly.
"She's been on a good deal of a strain," he explained apologetically,
"and no wonder; it's been rather an unusual night for her."

Hope raised her head and smiled at him through her tears. Then she
turned and moved toward Clay. She brushed her eyes with the back of
her hand and laughed. "It has been an unusual night," she said.
"Shall I tell him?" she asked.

Clay straightened himself unconsciously, and stepped beside her and
took her hand; MacWilliams quickly