. But before she
had taken it the sharp-eyed little lens of the camera had caught her,
her attitude at the instant one of action, the expression of her face
that of vivacious response. She flew out of range and before she could
speak the camera clicked again, this time the lens so obviously pointed
at the animals, and not at herself, that the intent of the operator
could not be called in question.

She looked at him with indignant suspicion, but his glance in return was
innocent, though his eyes sparkled.

"They'll make the prettiest kind of a picture, won't they?" he observed,
sliding the small black box back into its case. "I wish I had another
film; I'd take a lot of pictures about this place. I mean always to be
loaded, but November isn't usually the time for photographs, and I'd
forgotten all about it."

"If you find you have a picture of me on one of those shots I can trust
you not to keep it?"

"I may have caught you on that first shot. I'll bring it to you to see.
If your hat is tilted too much or you don't like your own expression--"

"I shall not like it, whatever it is. You stole it. That wasn't
fair--and when you had just been treated to sandwiches and ginger ale!"

He looked into her brilliant face and could not tell what he saw there.
He opened the camera box again and took out the instrument. He removed
the roll of films carefully from its position, sealed it, and held it
out to her. His manner was the perfection of courtesy.

"There are other pictures on the roll, I suppose?" she said doubtfully,
without accepting it.

"Certainly. I forget what they are. But it doesn't matter."

"Of course it matters. Have them developed--and give me back my own."

"If I develop them I shall be obliged to see yours--if you are on it. If
I once see it I may not have the force of character to give it back.
Your only safe course is to take it now."

Ted burst into the affair with a derisive shout. "Oh, Rob! What a silly
to care about that little bit of a picture! Let him have it. It was only
the horses he wanted anyway!"

The two pairs of eyes met. His were full of deference, yet compelling.
Hers brimmed with restrained laughter. With a gesture she waved back the
roll and walked away toward the fire.

"Thank you," said he behind her. "I'll try to prove myself worthy of the
trust."

"Rufus! Dare you to run down the hill to that big tree with me!" Ted, no
longer interested in this tame conclusion of what had