ll think, but she can't
hold a candle to her mother. She's got more spirit in her face, maybe,
but her features aren't equal to Eleanor's."

Richard did not venture to disagree with this opinion, but he privately
considered that, enchanting as was the face of Mrs. Robert Gray at
eighteen, that of her daughter Roberta, at twenty-four, dangerously
rivalled it.

"I could tell better about the likeness if I saw a late picture of Miss
Roberta," he observed, his eyes and mouth grave, but his voice
expectant. Aunt Ruth promptly took the suggestion, and limping daintily
away, returned after a minute with a framed photograph of Roberta and
Ruth, taken by one of those masters of the art who understand how to
bring out the values of the human face, yet to leave provocative shadows
which make for mystery and charm. Richard received it with a respectful
hand, and then had much ado to keep from showing how the sight of her
pictured face made his heart throb.

When the two visitors rose to go Aunt Ruth put in a plea for their
remaining overnight.

"It's turned colder since you came up this morning, Mr. Kendrick," said
she. "Why not stay with us and go back in the morning? We'd be so
pleased to entertain you, and we've plenty of room--too much room for us
two old folks, now the children are all married and gone."

To Richard's surprise his grandfather did not immediately decline. He
looked at Aunt Ruth, her rosy, smiling face beaming with hospitality,
then he glanced at Richard.

"Do stay," urged Uncle Rufus. "Remember how you took us in at midnight,
and what a good time you gave us the two days we stayed? It would make
us mighty happy to have you sleep under our roof, you and your grandson
both, if he'll stay, too."

"I confess I should like to sleep under this roof," admitted Matthew
Kendrick. "It reminds me of my father's old home. It's very good of you,
Madam Gray, to ask us, and I believe I shall remain. As to Richard--"

"I'd like nothing better," declared that young man promptly.

So it was settled. Richard drove back to the store and gathered together
various articles for his own and his grandfather's use, and returned to
the Gray fireside. The long and pleasant evening which followed the
hearty country supper gave him one more new experience in the long list
of them he was acquiring. Somehow he had seldom been happier than when
he followed his hostess into the comfortable room upstairs she assigned
him, opening from