, you shall have
this; this is gold."

"Oh, don't do that," said Keith. "She wouldn't appreciate it, and it is
a pity to spoil your bracelet."

She glanced up at him with a little flash in her blue eyes, as a
vigorous twist broke the little gold piece from its chain.

"She shall have it. There, see how she is smiling. I have enjoyed it,
and I am glad to have you have it. Now, you can get your candy.
Now, kiss me."

Somehow, the phrase and the tone brought back to Keith a hill-top
overlooking an English village, and a blue lake below, set like a
mirror among the green hills. A little girl in white, with brown eyes,
was handing a doll to another child even more grimy than this one. The
reminiscence came to him like a picture thrown by a magic lantern.

The child, without taking her eyes from the tiny bit of metal, put up
her little mouth, and the girl kissed her, only to have the kiss wiped
off with the chubby, dirty little hand.

The next moment the two little ones started down the road, their heads
close together over the bit of yellow gold. Then it was that Alice Yorke
for the first time took a real look at Keith,--a look provoked by the
casual glance she had had of him but a moment before,--and as she did so
the color stole up into her cheeks, as she thought of the way in which
she had just addressed him. But for his plain clothes he looked quite a
gentleman. He had a really good figure; straight, broad shoulders, and
fine eyes.

"Can you tell me what time it is?" she asked, falteringly. "I left my
watch at the hotel."

"I haven't a watch; but I think it must be about four o'clock--it was
half-past three when I left school, by the school clock; I am not sure
it was just right."

"Thank you." She looked at her horse. "I must get back to the hotel. Can
you--?"

Keith forestalled her.

"May I help you up?'

"Thanks. Do you know how to mount me?"

"I think so," he said airily, and stepped up close to her, to lift her
by the elbows to her saddle. She put out a foot clad in a very pretty,
neat shoe. She evidently expected Keith to let her step into his hand.
He knew of this mode of helping a lady up, but he had never tried it.
And, though he stooped and held his hand as if quite accustomed to it,
he was awkward about it, and did not lift her; so she did not get up.

"I don't think you can do it that way," said the girl.

"I don't think so either," said Keith. "I must learn it. But I know how
to do it th