o went through worse. And now I'm in a mind to settle down and
find a bit of work and stick to Dean Prior for evermore."

Mrs. Meadows laughed at her daughter when Harry was gone, for she had
quick senses and was a good bit amused to see her shy girl open out and
show interest in the man; but to chaff Millicent was always the way to
shut her up, and she wouldn't let her mother poke fun at her.

"Now I'll never see him again," vowed Millicent, "and all along of you,
mother, for I'd blush to the roots of my hair if he spoke to me any more
while I knew your cruel sharp eye was on me."

However, see him again she did, because Wade had asked 'em all to come and
drink tea long with him and witness the curiosities he'd fetched home from
Australia; and though the girl made a hard try to escape the ordeal, her
father bade her go along with him. Mrs. Meadows didn't go when the day
came, because she weren't feeling very well; and out of her ailments
sprang a surprising matter that shook 'em all to the roots.

Harry Wade lived in a little house all alone and did for himself very
clever as old campaigners know how to do. He'd planned a very nice meal
for 'em and laid out his treasures and was very sorry when John and his
daughter explained the absence of Mrs. Meadows. And sorrier still he
declared himself to be when they cut their visit a bit short, because for
the need to get home pretty quick to the suffering woman.

He was engaged for the most part with Millicent's father that visit,
though he pressed food of his own cooking upon her and tried to make her
chatter a bit. But he got little out of her, for she weren't a talker at
best, and she couldn't forget her mother had laughed at her for being so
interested in the man, and so she was shyer than usual.

But though she said nought, she liked to hear her father praise Harry as
they went home along, for John thought well upon him.

"He's a man who have got a regular mind despite his dangerous past," said
the old chap. "You might think such a venturesome way of life would make
him reckless and lawless; but far from it. His experience have made him
see the high value of law and order."

"He's brave as a lion seemingly," ventured Millicent, and her father
allowed it was so.

"An undaunted man," he admitted, "and his gifts will run to waste now,
because, unless you're in the police, or else a gamekeeper, there's little
call for courage."

Mrs. Meadows was a lot worse when the