have expected this. In Denboro one does few things unnoticed.

"She had lost her way in the woods and I helped her to find the road
home," I said, "that was all."

"Hum! You helped her to find the road the night of the strawberry
festival, too, didn't you?"

"How in the world did you find that out?"

"Oh, it just sort of drifted around. I've got pretty big ears--maybe
you've noticed 'em--and they gen'rally catch some of what's blowin'
past. There was a coachman mixed up in that night's work and he talked
some, I shouldn't wonder; most of his kind do."

"Well, what of it?" I asked, sharply. "I helped her as I would your
daughter if she had been caught alone in a storm like that. I should
have been ashamed not to."

"Sartin! Needn't get mad about it. What's this about your takin' his
Majesty off fishin' next Saturday?"

All of my personal affairs seemed to be common property. I was losing my
temper in spite of my recent good resolutions.

"Look here, Captain Dean," I said, "I have a right to take any one
fishing, if I choose. Mr. Colton asked me to do it and I saw no reason
for saying no."

"Funny he should ask you. He ain't asked anybody else in town."

"I don't know that and I don't care. I shall do as I please. I have
no grievance against the Coltons. I shall not sell them my land, but I
reserve the right to meet them--yes, and to associate with them--if I
choose. You and your friends may as well understand that, Captain."

"There! there! don't get huffy. I ain't got the right to say what your
rights are, Ros. And I don't think for a minute you'd back water on the
Lane business a-purpose. But I do think you're takin' chances. I tell
you, honest, I'm scart of old Colton, in a way, and I ain't scart
of many folks. He's a fighter and he's smart. He and I have had some
talks--"

"You have?" I interrupted.

"Yup. Lively squabbles they was, too. Each of us expressin' our opinion
of t'other and not holdin' back anything to speak of. I don't know how
he felt when we quit, but I know I respected him--for his out and open
cussedness and grit, if nothin' else. And I think he felt the same way
about me. But he's smart--consarn him, he is! And HE never backs water.
That's why I think you're takin' chances in bein' too friendly with him.
He's layin' low and, if you get off your guard just once he'll grab."

I hesitated; then I made up my mind.

"Captain Dean," I said, "his smartness hasn't caught me yet. I'm going