e Jacqueline is driving," she said,
for an excuse.

"Pooh! Jacqueline can handle anything I can," Philip smiled. "Besides, I
want to speak to you about something in particular."

"You usually do," murmured Kate, teasingly. She found his open
partiality for her society rather amusing.

He was silent until they had passed the long line of homeward-bound
vehicles, drawn respectfully out of the Madam's way. Then he said in a
low voice, "Henderson is back in his cabin. Did you know it?"

Low as he spoke, the girl on the back seat heard him. "Not Pappy?" she
cried. "Oh, oh, he's come for me agin! Please don't let me go back to
him, _please_ don't! I don't want to, I don't want to!"

"Why?" demanded Kate, sharply. "Was he cruel to you, Mag?"

"No'm, he wa'n't. He was always real kind, even if he was drunk; never
kicked me, nor cussed me, nor nuthin'. But I don't want to go back to
him. I'd ruther stay with you. Hit don't matter so much about me--I'm
spiled anyway--but I don't never want Pappy to git my baby!"

Kate gave Philip a puzzled glance, which he met gravely. "Let her
explain to you," he said.

"Is it because you are more comfortable that you want to stay with me?"
asked Mrs. Kildare. "Is it that?"

"That ain't all." The girl's hands were working together. "'Tain't safe
for Pappy here, noways. Them Night Riders'll git him, shore. And he's so
po'ly he couldn't stand a whippin'. It'd kill him. Oh, please, you make
him go 'way, Miss Kate! Tell him I'll send him money soon as ever I git
work, but make him go 'way. He shan't have my baby, he shan't!" She
began to sob.

"There, there, Mag, don't be foolish. What would he want with your
baby?"

"She's a gal."

Vaguely, understanding began to drift in to Kate. Her voice shook
suddenly as she said, "What do you mean about the Night Riders getting
your father? He is in no danger from them with you not there. It was you
they threatened."

"No'm, 't were Pappy. That's how he come to run away. They got down on
him fer makin' me do like I done."

"_Making_ you--?" gasped Kate Kildare.

"Yes'm! It were him what found the men and brought 'em round. But it
wa'n't no business of them Night Riders," said the girl resentfully. "I
didn't mind. It were a easy way of makin' money, easier 'n workin'.
Pappy's so po'ly, he ain't got the strength to work hisself. Only--" she
began to cry again--"I know it ain't nice, and I don't want my baby
should do that-a-way, not ever. I w