t it would perhaps
be better to have no strangers, but just old friends, you and Don and
Hughie and me."

Ranald at once caught her meaning, but found himself strangely unwilling
to be extricated from his predicament.

"I mean," said Mrs. Murray, frankly, "we might enjoy it better without
my niece; and so, perhaps, we could have the sugaring when I come to
bring Hughie home on Friday. Maimie does not come till Saturday."

Her frankness disarmed Ranald of his reserve. "I know well what you
mean," he said, without his usual awkwardness, "but I do not mind now
at all having your niece come; and Don is going to have a party." The
quiet, grave tone was that of a man, and Mrs. Murray looked at the boy
with new eyes. She did not know that it was her own frank confidence
that had won like confidence from him.

"How old are you, Ranald?" she said, in her wonder.

"I will be going on eighteen."

"You will soon be a man, Ranald." Ranald remained silent, and she went
on earnestly: "A strong, good, brave man, Ranald."

The blood rushed to the boy's face with a sudden flood, but still he
stood silent.

"I'm going to give you Hughie for two days," she continued, in the same
earnest voice; and leaning down over her pony's neck toward him: "I want
him to know strong and manly boys. He is very fond of you, Ranald. He
thinks you are better than any man in the world." She paused, her lips
parting in a smile that made Ranald's heart beat quick. Then she went on
with a shy hesitancy: "Ranald, I know the boys sometimes drop words they
should not and tell stories unfit to hear"; the blood was beginning
to show in her cheek; "and I would not like my little boy--" Her voice
broke suddenly, but recovering quickly she went on in grave, sweet
tones: "I trust him to you, Ranald, for this time and afterward. He
looks up to you. I want him to be a good, brave man, and to keep his
heart pure." Ranald could not speak, but he looked steadily into Mrs.
Murray's eyes as he took the hand she offered, and she knew he was
pledging himself to her.

"You'll come for him to-morrow," she said, as she turned away. By this
time Ranald had found his voice.

"Yes, ma'am," he replied. "And I will take good care of him."

Once more Mrs. Murray found herself looking at Ranald as if seeing him
for the first time. He had the solemn voice and manner of a man making
oath of allegiance, and she rode away with her heart at rest concerning
her little boy. With Ra