rp. Now where are those
con--those ribbons?"

Jewel's eyes and lips grew suddenly serious and doubtful, and he
observed the change.

"Yes, your hair ribbons, you know," he added hastily and with an attempt
at geniality.

"Not if you don't like to, grandpa."

"I love to," he protested. "I've been looking forward to it all the
morning. I thought 'never mind if I can't go riding, I can tie Jewel's
hair ribbons.'"

The child laughed a little, even though her companion did not. "Oh
grandpa, you're such a joker," she said; "just like father."

But he saw that she doubted his mood, and the toe of one of the
overshoes was boring into the carpet as she stood where she had
withdrawn from him.

"Let us see if you parted your hair better," he said in a different and
gentler tone, and instantly the flaxen head was bent before him, and
Jewel felt in her pocket for the ribbons. He had not the heart to say
what he thought; namely, that her parting looked as though a saw had
been substituted for a comb.

"Very well, very well," he said kindly.

When the ribbons were at last tied, the two proceeded to the
dining-room. Here an open fire of logs furnished the cheerful light that
was lacking outside. The morning paper hung over the back of a chair,
warming before the blaze.

Mrs. Forbes entered from the butler's pantry and looked surprised.
"I didn't expect you down for half an hour yet, sir. Shall I hurry
breakfast?"

"No; I'm going to take Jewel to the stable." Mr. Evringham stopped and
took a few lumps of sugar from the bowl.

"Julia, where are your rubbers?" asked the housekeeper.

"On," said the child, lifting her foot.

"I only hope they'll stay there," remarked her grandfather. "I think,
Mrs. Forbes, you must buy shoes as I've heard that Chinamen do,--the
largest they can get for the money."

He disappeared with his happy little companion, and the housekeeper
looked after them disapprovingly.

"They're both going out bareheaded," she mused. "I'd like to bet--I
would bet anything that she asked him to take her. He never even stopped
to look at the paper. He's just putty in her hands, that's what he is,
putty; and she's been here three days."

Mr. Evringham's apprehensions proved to have foundation. Halfway to
the barn Jewel stepped in a bit of sticky mud and left one rubber. Her
companion did not stop to let her get it, but picking her up under his
well arm, strode on to the barn, where they appeared to the ast