ke and mutely gave him to
understand that she would hold him craven should he lower his lance
point while life lasted. The clock struck one.

The champions had exhausted all modern topics and were beginning on old
Rome. Dic wondered what would be the hour when they should reach Greece
and Egypt in their backward flight. But after the downfall of Rome, near
the hour of two, Sir Roger was unhorsed, and went off to his castle and
to bed. Then Rita bade Dic good-by, after exacting from him a solemn
promise to return the next Sunday.

Rita thought Dic's victory was a good omen, and drew much comfort from
it. She tried to lie awake to nurse her joy, but her eyes were so heavy
that she fell asleep in the midst of her prayer.

Dic saddled his horse and started home. The sharp, crisp air was
delicious. The starlit sky was a canopy of never ceasing beauty, and
the song in his heart was the ever sweet song of hope. The four hours'
ride seemed little more than a journey of as many minutes; and when he
stabled his horse at home, just as the east was turning gray and the
sun-blinded stars were blinking, he said to himself:--

"A fifty-two-mile ride and twenty-four hours of
happiness,--anticipation, realization, and memory,--cheap!"

He slept for two or three hours and hunted all day long. Tuesday's stage
brought a letter from Rita, and it is needless to speak of its
electrifying effect on Dic. There was a great deal of "I" and "me" and
"you" in the letter, together with frequent repetitions; but tautology,
under proper conditions, may have beauties of its own, not at all to be
despised.

Dic went to town Tuesday evening and sat before Billy Little's fire till
ten o'clock, telling our worthy little friend of recent events. They
both laughed over the "sitting-out" tournament.

"It begins to look as if you would get her," remarked Billy, leaning
forward in his chair and resting his elbows on his knees. He was
intensely jealous of Williams, and was eager to help Dic in any manner
possible.

"I hope you are right, Billy Little," replied Dic. "When persons agree
as do Rita and I, there should be a law against outside interference."

"There is such a law," answered Billy--"God's law, but most persons have
greater respect for a legislative statute."

"I didn't know you were religious," said Dic.

"Of course I am. Every man with any good in him is religious. One
doesn't have to be a Methodist, a Baptist, or a Roman Catholic to be