"the big love of a true
and simple heart like his. It would probably be idyllic to live a life of
love up here in these hills with the man of one's choice, I suppose, but a
happiness too tame for me. To be sure, there would be the excitement of
trying to ruffle the love-feathers, but that, too, in time would pall. I
wonder how much longer I shall stay hidden up here before my past finds me
out. Any minute something is sure to drop and I will be called back--back
to my other life that is less enticing now I have had a taste of
domesticity.

"But," she reflected, "domesticity doesn't satisfy long. This
semi-security is getting on my nerves. Hebby isn't so good a trailer as I
feared he would be, or he'd have tracked me up here."

Her meditations were diverted by a tattoo upon her door which she had
locked so that the ever-present, ever-prying Betty and the all-wise
Francis could not intrude.

"Aunt Penny, let us in!" came in aggrieved chorus.

"I've a message for you, Aunt Pen. Open the door," came Francis' insistent
voice.

The pounding and the voices forced a capitulation. She admitted the trio.

"Mrs. Merlin is going to take us to her house for the rest of the day,"
informed Francis, "and we will have a picnic dinner there. She would have
asked you, too, only Uncle Kurt came back and wants you to ride with him.
He didn't have to go 'way to town, 'cause he met the man he wanted to see
on the way here."

"Now what has come over the spirit of _his_ dreams?" Pen asked herself
wonderingly as she got into her riding things. "Well, there is always the
refuge of fast riding. That is the only time I can make my tongue behave.
I'll give him no chance to preach, that's sure!"

When they set out on their ride, she was careful not to let the brisk pace
falter. They stopped for luncheon at a ranch-house where there were many
people at the table; but on the way home, when nearing the big bend, Kurt
rode up to her; his detaining hand on the bridle slackened the speed she
was striving to maintain.

"I want to say something to you," he began stiffly. "You mustn't think
because I say nothing, that I am unmindful of what you have
overcome--I--"

She stole a side glance at him. His eyes were as sombre and impenetrable
as ever, but his chin worked nervously.

"You mean that I deserve a credit mark for not having lifted the
children's banks, or helped myself to the family silver and jewels. It's
sweet in you to put such trust in