at times a lurking smile, which yet had in it something grave.

To Dr. Balsam, Keith owed a great deal more than he himself knew at the
time. For it is only by looking back that Youth can gauge the steps by
which it has climbed.

CHAPTER VI

ALICE YORKE

It is said that in Brazil a small stream which rises under a bank in a
gentleman's garden, after flowing a little distance, encounters a rock
and divides into two branches, one of which flows northward and empties
into the Amazon, whilst the other, turning to the southward, pours its
waters into the Rio del Plata. A very small obstruction caused the
divergence and determined the course of those two streams. So it is
in life.

One afternoon in the early Spring, Gordon Keith was walking home from
school, his books under his arm, when, so to speak, he came on the stone
that turned him from his smooth channel and shaped his course in life.

He was going to break a colt for Squire Rawson that afternoon, so he was
hurrying; but ever as he strode along down the winding road, the
witchery of the tender green leaves and the odors of Spring filled eyes
and nostrils, and called to his spirit with that subtle voice which has
stirred Youth since Youth's own Spring awoke amid the leafy trees. In
its call were freedom, and the charm of wide spaces, and the unspoken
challenge of Youth to the world, and haunting vague memories, and
whisperings of unuttered love, and all that makes Youth Youth.

Presently Gordon became aware that a little ahead of him, under the
arching boughs, were two children who were hunting for something in the
road, and one of them was crying. At the same moment there turned the
curve beyond them, coming toward him, a girl on horseback. He watched
her with growing interest as she galloped toward him, for he saw that
she was young and a stranger. Probably she was from "the Springs," as
she was riding one of Gates's horses and was riding him hard.

The rider drew in her horse and stopped as she came up to the children.
Keith heard her ask what was the matter with the little one, and the
older child's reply that she was crying because she had lost her money.
"She was goin' to buy candy with it at the store, but dropped it."

The girl sprang from her horse.

"Oh, you poor little thing! Come here, you dear little kitten. I'll give
you some money. Won't you hold my horse? He won't hurt you." This to the
elder child.

She threw herself on her knees in the