one them scurce kind makes you glad every time she
does a wrong or thoughtless thing, 'cause then you know she ain't
quite perfected yet, and you're surer of keepin' her 'on earth. My!
the good that woman does beats all. This very day, when she'd lots
rather stay to home and visit with you, she's give orders for Ephraim
to have the buck-board got ready to take her twenty miles to see a
neighbor who's sick. She's fixing a basket of things now, and is in a
hurry. So that's the reason she didn't come to keep you company
herself. Have another piece of chicken--do."

"Thank you, no. I've enjoyed my breakfast hugely, and feel as if I'd
never known a moment's illness."

There was the sound of wheels just then and Ninian strolled out to
offer his service as escort to the ranch mistress in case she might
desire it. But the offer was not made, though the lady greeted him
with evident pleasure, and even herself glanced toward the vehicle, as
if wishing he might ride with her. But there was Ephraim Marsh, in the
glory of a white shirt and brilliant necktie, brushed and speckless,
and beaming benevolently upon all less favored mortals. It was only
upon such errands of mercy that the mistress ever left her home, and
there was not a ranchman in her employ but esteemed it an honor to
drive for her whither she would.

Ninian saw the state of affairs plainly enough, and, possibly, so did
"Forty-niner" himself; who might, under some circumstances, have
sacrificed his pleasure for that of the young man. But not now. Ever
since he had returned from his long stay in the city, the sensitive
old fellow had felt a difference in his surroundings. There was nobody
mean enough to tell him of the base suspicions that his fellow workmen
had harbored about him, and they fancied that by treating him with
more than former friendliness they could offset the unknown injury
they had done him. It was this very effusiveness that had roused his
suspicions that something was wrong, and he saw in this solitary drive
with his beloved mistress a chance to unburden his mind and get her
wise opinion on the matter.

So he merely "passed the time of day" with the guest, helped the lady
to her place, and stepped up beside her; then chirruped to his horse
and was off.

But Ninian was not allowed much disappointment, for there was Lady
Jess, clasping his hand and looking up into his face with the
brightest of smiles, as she exclaimed: "Just think of it, dear Mr.