d a knot to mark the resultant measurement. Following the
same procedure, he took the circumference of her chest, the length of
her arm, and from her neck to a few inches above her slender ankle.
Suddenly her puzzled expression gave place to one of understanding, and
the starry smile broke over her countenance.

"You've _guessed_," cried Donald with feigned disappointment.

"Ef hit's a secret, I won't even whisper hit ter no one," the child
responded gayly.

"Good. It _is_ a secret, but not a dark one."

"I reckon thet hit's all white," she gurgled. "An' now I hev a secret
fer _yo_' ter keep--leastwise till ye gits ter the city. Yo' promise,
too?"

"I solemnly swear," said Don, and, breaking away, the girl ran into her
own room and bashfully brought out a paper bundle through the top folds
of which protruded the twisted reed handle of a basket, somewhat similar
to the one of her own manufacture which he had given her. "This hyar
basket's fer the little girl; but, inside hit's something fer yo' ter
remember leetle Rose by. Also thar's a writin', askin' ye ter do
something fer me an' ef yo' kin do hit I will shor' be mightily obleeged
ter ye."

"I can't guess what on earth it is, but you may be sure that I will do
it if it can be done," he answered earnestly. "Good-by, Smiles. Even
without your gift as a reminder I shouldn't have forgotten you, and I
shall not think of the Cumberlands without seeing your dear little
face."

Donald took both her small hands in his big ones, and, yielding to a
sudden impulse, bent down and drew her towards him. For just an instant
she held back slightly, and the color swiftly mantled her cheeks. Then,
as he was on the point of releasing her, a little ashamed of his
intention, she freed her hands and, flinging them about his neck, kissed
him warmly again.

With the fresh, childlike pressure of her young lips on his, Donald went
hurriedly out, and, after a last hearty handclasp from Big Jerry, turned
towards the woods, an unaccustomed song in his heart.

CHAPTER VI

AN UNACCEPTED CHALLENGE

"I wants ter hev speech with ye, stranger."

The words, spoken in a harsh voice, fell gratingly on Donald's ears, and
brought to an abrupt end the happy thoughts with which his mind was
occupied. He stopped, forcing the growling Mike behind him, as Judd
stepped out from the bushes, squarely across his path.

"I would be glad to stop and talk with you, Judd, but I'm due in
Fayville