ts. "Why,"
he continued, stopping in front of Lucy and kissing her gently on the
cheek, "I feel better right now than I have for a long time--better
inside, you know."

Lucy did not understand exactly what he meant by the "inside," but she
did not puzzle her head about it. She was happy to know that her father
was so well and that Chester was speeding to her. The day promised to be
fair, and the drive to the station would be delightful. She was looking
out of the window.

"Lucy," said her father, placing his hand on her shoulder, "you need not
tell Captain Brown the little secrets you have learned; and I think your
Uncle Gilbert need not know any more than he does. It is just as well
for all concerned that these things remain to outward appearances just
as they have in the past."

"All right, papa."

"We--Chester and you and I will know and understand and be happy. What
else matters?"

"What, indeed."

"Now, there's the captain already. He's early; but perhaps he intends
driving you about a bit first."

That was just it. The morning air was so invigorating, Captain Brown
explained, that it was a pity not to feel it against one's face. He knew
of a number of very pretty drives, round-about ways, to the station, and
the fields were delightfully green just then.

In a short time away they rattled down the graveled road, the father
waving after them. It was a good thing, said Lucy, that strong hands had
the reins, for the horse was full of life. They sped over the smooth,
hedge-bordered roads, winding about fields and gardens until they
arrived at Calderstone Park. Here the captain pointed out the Calder
Stones, ruins of an ancient Druid place of worship or sacrifice. Then
they drove leisurely through Sefton Park, thence townward to the
station.

They had a few moments to wait, during which the driver stroked the
horse's nose, talking to him all the while not to be afraid of the noisy
cars. The whistle's shrill pipe sounded and the train rolled in. The
captain stood by his horse, while Lucy went to the platform, and met
Chester as he leaped from the car.

"Oh, ho," said the captain to his horse, when he saw the meeting. A
partial explanation was given him of the "certain young man" whom they
were to meet.

The captain held the carriage door open to them like a true coachman.
"Take the back seat, please," he commanded, after the introduction; "in
these vehicles, the driver sits in front."

The captain drove