up what he considered his mission to
reform that benighted town. Lord, what fools--it's true--we mortals are."

I was too drowsy and cold to answer, and how we got the team into the
stables or even found Fairmead I do not remember; but we probably did it
by force of habit, and it was high noon the next day before we awakened.

CHAPTER X

A FORWARD POLICY

Grace and I met often again before the thaw in spring put an end to all
thoughts of amusement. Each time she seemed to place me on a more friendly
footing, and I laid myself out to cultivate the good-will of the
Carrington settlers, in the hope of meeting her at their gatherings, for
they at least enjoyed themselves during the winter. Some of the younger
gallants regarded me with evident hostility; but I could afford to smile
at them, because, though the heiress of Carrington was gracious to all,
she seemed to find more pleasure in my company than in their attentions.
Still, at last even Harry grumbled when, half-frozen and with a worn-out
team, I reached Fairmead at dawn. "We'll want another pair of horses if
this is to continue," he said. "Ralph, it's not my business, but I'm
afraid you are laying up trouble for yourself."

There were, however, disappointments, for now and then I drove long
leagues through whirling snow or bitter frost only to find that Grace was
not present, and it was on one of these occasions that I betrayed my
secret to her aunt, Miss Carrington. She had been visiting an outlying
farm, and though there were others upon whom the duty devolved I insisted
on driving her home. In my case it was an inestimable privilege, for by
good fortune Grace might be waiting to welcome her. I had been silent all
evening, and when with a hissing beneath the steel runners and a rhythmic
beat of hoofs we swept on under radiant moonlight, Miss Carrington made
some jesting comment upon it. Perhaps the exhilarating rush through the
cold, still air had stirred me into undue frankness, for I answered:

"Grace was not there, and nothing seems the same without her. She brings
an atmosphere of brightness with her, and one learns to miss it. What
would this prairie look like if a cloud obscured the moon?"

Miss Carrington smiled a little, glancing at me keenly, as she said: "A
pretty simile! It was more than I expected after your rueful looks
to-night. But you are not singular. There are others in the Carrington
settlement who think the same--young men with ma