th was oiling a pair of boots on the veranda, while Claire talked to
him about Hillyer, who had pleased her immeasurably by his devotion to
Marion, and even more, of course, by his generous compliments to
herself. She was delicately calling Seth's attention to the pleasure,
the profits, and the sanctity of politeness, when she caught sight of
Hillyer's automobile emerging slowly and silently from the trees that
concealed the road at a little distance from the corrals.

"There he is now!" she exclaimed. And then, an instant later: "Why,
he's alone!"

She stood up excitedly, and Seth also, dropping a half-oiled boot on
the floor.

"What the devil?" ejaculated Huntington.

So they stood, waiting and wondering, while Hillyer alighted from the
automobile, and walked, with exasperating slowness--with reluctance,
if they had but known it--up the graveled path among the flower beds.
Something in the look of him caused Claire to clutch a post of the
veranda for support.

"Where's Marion?" she cried.

"She's all right," replied Hillyer, as he mounted the steps. "That is,
nothing has happened to her. But there's been an accident." He
hesitated. "Who is this Philip Haig?"

"Haig? What about Haig?" demanded Huntington.

"He's been hurt. A horse threw him."

"Sunnysides?" cried Huntington excitedly.

"I believe so."

"He will, will he?" chuckled Huntington. "That serves--"

"But Marion?" interrupted Claire. "What about Marion?"

Hillyer looked doubtfully from one to the other, in much embarrassment.
What did they know? Or were they as ignorant as he of the situation
that had been revealed to him as if by the flash of a thunderbolt? And
how much should he disclose to them, in loyalty to Marion? But in his
pocket was Marion's list.

"She's there--with him," he said at length.

"There? Where?" thundered Huntington.

"At his house."

They stood stock-still, staring at him.

"She wishes Mrs. Huntington to make up a bundle of these things for me
to take to her."

He handed the list to Claire, who took it, and held it at arm's
length, regarding it curiously, as if she had not understood.

"You mean that--" she began, and stopped.

"She says she's going to nurse him."

"She's going to--what?" Claire's voice rose almost to a shriek.

"Nurse him."

"And you've left her there with that--"

Huntington was going to say "ruffian," but was checked by a sudden
recollection, as well as by the look that Hillyer flashe