more such meetings.

The first words, of course, were of the surprise Alice felt at finding
him there. "How did you remember us?"

"I was not likely to forget you," said Keith, frankly enough. "I am in
New York on business, and I thought that before going home I would see
my friends." This with some pride, as Mrs. Yorke was present.

"Where are you living?"

Keith explained that he was an engineer and lived in Gumbolt.

"Ah, I think that is a splendid profession," declared Miss Alice. "If I
were a man I would be one. Think of building great bridges across mighty
rivers, tunnelling great mountains!"

"Maybe even the sea itself," said Mr. Keith, who, so long as Alice's
eyes were lighting up at the thought of his profession, cared not what
Mrs. Yorke thought.

"I doubt if engineers would find much to do in New York," put in Mrs.
Yorke. "I think the West would be a good field--the far West," she
explained.

"It was so good in you to look us up," Miss Alice said sturdily and,
perhaps, a little defiantly, for she knew what her mother was thinking.

"If that is being good," said Keith, "my salvation is assured." He
wanted to say, as he looked at her, "In all the multitude in New York
there is but one person that I really came to see, and I am repaid," but
he did not venture so far. In place of it he made a mental calculation
of the chances of Mrs. Yorke leaving, if only for a moment. A glance at
her, however, satisfied him that the chance of it was not worth
considering, and gloom began to settle on him. If there is anything that
turns a young man's heart to lead and encases it in ice, it is, when he
has travelled leagues to see a girl, to have mamma plant herself in the
room and mount guard. Keith knew now that Mrs. Yorke had mounted guard,
and that no power but Providence would dislodge her. The thought of the
cool woods of the Ridge came to him like a mirage, torturing him.

He turned to the girl boldly.

"Sha'n't you ever come South again?" he asked. "The humming-birds are
waiting."

Alice smiled, and her blush made her charming.

Mrs. Yorke answered for her. She did not think the South agreed with
Alice.

Alice protested that she loved it.

"How is my dear old Doctor? Do you know, he and I have carried on quite
a correspondence this year?"

Keith did not know. For the first time in his life he envied the Doctor.

"He is your--one of your most devoted admirers. The last time I saw him
he was talking o