ck. What a delightful place for your dance! We can
decorate with hydrangeas and golden glow. John, the garden looks just
the same as it did that Sunday afternoon two years ago when we sat on
this same bench under the arbor of ripening grapes and I told you my
dream of the humming birds. For a while I regretted having done so,
knowing that you saw too deeply into my heart and was not wholly
satisfied with the vision. What you saw was, in a way, the soul of
Dorothy. Now I am glad I told it. We would never have been real happy,
John, though we were beginning to think so. I hope before I marry the
one I love will tell me even his dreams; they sometimes lift the curtain
to the inner self. I must go now."

"Mother, I am walking home with Dorothy and shall come right back."

"Don't say that, John; no sentiment; that day is gone, perhaps for our
mutual happiness. You are my friend, John Cornwall, and always will be.
Come over tomorrow evening and tell me about yourself and your friends.
When Mr. Bradford comes I imagine I will like him. Good-night, John."

The following evening John called on Dorothy. He found Duffield and
Helen Creech there. Duffield, rising when he came in, resumed his seat
beside Dorothy, while he sat on the opposite side of the porch talking
with Miss Creech. He remained an hour, walking home with her. As they
were leaving, Dorothy said: "Aunt Anna wrote to Miss Clay today.
Good-night, Mr. Cornwall. Come again whenever you can, Helen."

CHAPTER VIII.

DOROTHY AND BRADFORD--ROSAMOND AND CORNWALL.

Howard Bradford arrived on the 21st of July. As he and Cornwall drove
through the gateway, he had an excellent view of the Cornwall home. He
declared the house charming as modified and complimented John on his
efforts as a landscape gardener.

They spent the afternoon loafing around home, except an hour when John
went to the office, while Bradford slept, fanned by a breeze that blew
down the river and sang in softest murmurs through the windows of his
corner room.

When Cornwall returned, Duffield came with him and remained for dinner
and until a late hour. Bradford, when he learned that they each owned a
saddle horse and that those for hire were saddle-galled and the
free-goers nearly ridden to death, handed $250.00 to Duffield, who had
said that he knew of a horse for sale at that price and worth the money,
saying: "Though I shall be here but two weeks, the horse can be sent to
Pittsburgh, or sol