th Mr. Turley?" Keith felt relieved.

"Ur--no--I am not staying with them. I am with some other friends." Her
color was coming and going.

"What is their name?"

"Their name? Oh--uh--I don't know their names."

"Don't know their names!"

"No. You see it's a sort of private boarding-house, and they took me
in."

"Oh, I thought you said they were friends," said Keith.

"Why, yes, they are, but--I have forgotten their names. Don't you
understand?"

Keith did not understand.

"I only came a few days ago, and I am going right away."

Keith passed on. Euphronia had clearly not changed her nature.
Insensibly, Keith thought of Ferdy Wickersham. Old Rawson's conversation
months before recurred to him. He knew that the girl was vain and
light-headed. He also knew Wickersham.

He mentioned to Mr. Turley having seen the girl in town, and the old
fellow went immediately and took her out of the little boarding-house
where she had put up, and brought her to his home.

Keith was not long in doubt as to the connection between her presence
and Wickersham's.

Several times he had occasion to call at Mr. Turley's. On each occasion
he found Wickersham there, and it was very apparent that he was not an
unwelcome visitor.

It was evident to Keith that Wickersham was trying to make an impression
on the young girl.

That evening so long ago when he had come on her and Wickersham in the
old squire's orchard came back to him, and the stalwart old countryman,
with his plain ways, his stout pride, his straight ideas, stood before
him. He knew his pride in the girl; how close she was to his heart; and
what a deadly blow it would be to him should anything befall her. He
knew, moreover, how fiercely he would avenge any injury to her.

He determined to give Wickersham a hint of the danger he was running,
if, as he believed, he was simply amusing himself with the girl. He and
Wickersham still kept up relations ostensibly friendly. Wickersham had
told him he was going back to New York on a certain day; but three days
later, as Keith was returning late from his mines, he came on Wickersham
and Phrony in a byway outside of the town. His arm was about her. They
were so closely engaged that they did not notice him until he was on
them. Phrony appeared much excited. "Well, I will not go otherwise,"
Keith heard her say. She turned hastily away as Keith came up, and her
face was scarlet with confusion, and even Wickersham looked
disconcert