aid Miss Townshead, "no reason why I should. You made me
a promise--why I do not know, any more than I do why I allowed you--but
I was very anxious just then. No doubt you spoke on impulse, and
afterwards regretted it."

"My daughter was a trifle injudicious," said Townshead.

Alton made a last endeavour. "I know what you must think of me, and it
hurts," he said. "Still, that is a little thing."

The girl checked him by a gesture, and the man stopped with his meaning
unexpressed. "You have made as much evident," she said.

Alton turned towards her father. "I'm afraid the suggestion I wished
to make would be out of place just now," he said. "Still, I had ridden
over in the hope that you and Miss Townshead would stay with us at
Somasco while you decided on your next step."

"We have to thank you for your offer, but your surmise is correct,"
said Townshead.

Alton said nothing further, but went out into the clearing and stood
apart from the rest while the auctioneer disposed of the household
effects, until a little cabinet was offered, when he moved up to the
table and bid savagely. Hallam for some reason bid against him, and
only stopped when he had quadrupled its value. Alton flung down a roll
of dollar bills and then turned to a man close by. "Will you take that
in to Miss Townshead, and not tell her who bought it?" he said. "It
was her mother's, and I believe she values it."

"I'll do my best," said the other man dryly. "Still, I'm not good at
fixing up a story, and Miss Nellie's not a fool."

"Well," said Alton simply, "there's another thing. Where is Townshead
going?"

The rancher smiled a little. "He's coming home with me. Susie's
driving over with the wagon."

Alton nodded. "Now you needn't be touchy, but we've fruit and things
at Somasco you haven't got," said he. "Well, I want you to come round
with the wagon."

The rancher straightened himself a trifle. "My place isn't Somasco,
but it will be a mean day when I can't feed my friends," said he.

Alton laughed softly. "I don't care ten cents about your feelings,
Jack," he said. "The girl and the old man might like the things, and
there's no reason they should know where you got them."

The other man also laughed. "You ride straight home, Harry, before you
make it worse," said he. "One might figure that you'd mixed things up
enough already."

Alton turned away, and found Seaforth awaiting him. They mounted, and
Alton rode in