name?"

"My name is Jewel."

"And I am Dr. Ballard, so now we are properly introduced." He smiled
upon her with merry eyes, and she responded politely:--

"I'm very glad you found us."

Arrived at Bel-Air, the doctor picked up his case and Jewel followed him
from the train. He looked about expectantly for Mrs. Evringham or her
daughter. They were not there.

The little girl's quick eyes discerned a light-haired driver and a brown
horse coming around a curve of the pretty landscape gardening which
beautified the station. At the same moment Dr. Ballard recognized the
equipage with relief.

"They've sent for you. That is all right," he said, and 'Zekiel, with
one side glance at the little stranger, drew up by the platform.

"Good-morning, Zeke. Here is your passenger." He lifted Jewel to her
place beside the driver, whose smooth, stolid face did not change
expression.

"Do I wait for Mr. Evringham?" he asked, without turning his head in its
stiff collar.

"No, Mr. Evringham remained in town."

"Is there a trunk?" pursued Zeke immovably.

"How about your trunk, little one?" asked the doctor.

Jewel produced a paper check. "A man gave grandpa this for it at the
boat place."

"I'll see to having it sent up then." The doctor looked along the
platform. "It didn't come this trip." He took the child's hand in his.
"I shall see you again before long. Good-by."

Jewel looked after his retreating figure with some regret. Her present
companion seemed carved out of wood. His plum-colored livery fitted
without a wrinkle. His smooth, solemn face appeared incapable of speech.

The swift horse trotted through the village street at a great pace, and
the visitor enjoyed the novel experience so intensely that she could not
forbear stealing a look up at the driver's face.

He caught it. "Ain't afraid, are you?" he asked.

She looked doubtful. "Is it error for the horse to go so fast?" she
returned.

"Error?"'Zekiel regarded the child curiously. "Well, I guess it's
considered one o' the biggest virtues a horse can have."

"Then why did you ask me if I was afraid? You're the third person who's
asked me that this morning," returned Jewel, with wondering inflections
in her soft voice. "Are New York people afraid of things?"

"Well, not so's you'd notice it as a rule," returned Zeke. "I'm glad if
she ain't one o' the scared kind," he pursued, as if to himself.

"Oh, this is splendid," declared Jewel, relieved by her com