et she does not seem to be
quite herself, and I thought it best to tell you. I feared that perhaps
she was going to have one of her old attacks."

"Say nothing to her of your suspicions. The last one passed over, I
think largely because we appeared to treat her mood lightly. Poor child,
she has never ceased to grieve for the man whom her parents refused to
permit her to marry. I think your Aunt Jane made a grievous mistake. I
told her so plainly when she brought Ruth here to us, hoping she might
forget her youthful love affair."

Tad Butler's cheeks burned.

That he had unwittingly played eavesdropper troubled him not a little.
The boy rose and walking to a window on the further side of the room,
stood with hat crumpled in both hands behind him, gazing out.

The voices ceased. Yet a moment later Tad started and turned sharply.

"Well, young man, what are you doing here?"

Before him he saw a woman just short of middle age. He inferred at once
that she was the elder of the two women whom he had heard speaking
behind the curtain.

"I am waiting for Mr. McClure," answered Tad, bowing politely, his face
flushing under its tan.

"Does he know that you are here?" she asked in a milder tone.

"Oh, yes. He asked me to wait here until he returned."

"Pardon me, I----"

"Ah, here you are, my dear. I have been looking for you. I wish you to
meet Master Thaddeus Butler, who, with three companions and a tutor, is
crossing the state with the Miller herd. It is the most unique vacation
in these days. Master Butler, this is Mrs. McClure. My daughters will
join us in a moment."

Mrs. McClure shook hands cordially with their young guest.

"Welcome to Ox Bow," she smiled. "At first, as your back was turned to
me, I took you for one of the men. Instantly you faced me I saw the
mistake I had made. Won't you be seated?"

Under her cordial manner Tad Butler was soon at his ease. Almost before
he was aware of the fact Mrs. McClure had drawn from him the main facts
relating to the journeyings of the Pony Riders.

Mrs. McClure's two daughters, Sadie and Margaret, entered the room soon
afterwards, Tad being presented to them. Margaret, the elder of the two,
was a fair-haired girl of perhaps nineteen years, while her sister
Sadie, who was darker, Tad judged to be about his own age.

Both girls shook hands smilingly with their guest.

"I hope you will pardon me for appearing in such a disreputable
condition," begged the lad. "I