the clatter of waiters and the pop of champagne
corks. And yet, by thunder, those women are capable of liking both and
finding no discord in them!"

"Dancing ain't half bad, you know," said Mainwaring, conscientiously,
"if a chap's got the wind to do it; and all Americans, especially the
women, dance better than we do. But I say, Bradley, to hear you talk,
a fellow wouldn't suspect you were as big a Vandal as anybody, with a
beastly, howling saw-mill in the heart of the primeval forest. By Jove,
you quite bowled me over that first day we met, when you popped your
head out of that delirium tremens shaking mill, like the very genius of
destructive improvement."

"But that was FIGHTING Nature, not patronizing her; and it's a business
that pays. That reminds me that I must go back to it," said Bradley,
rising and knocking the ashes from his pipe.

"Not AFTER dinner, surely!" said Mainwaring, in surprise. "Come now,
that's too much like the bolting Yankee of the travellers' books."

"There's a heavy run to get through tonight. We're working against
time," returned Bradley. Even while speaking he had vanished within the
house, returned quickly--having replaced his dark suit by jean trousers
tucked in heavy boots, and a red flannel shirt over his starched white
one--and, nodding gayly to Mainwaring, stepped from the lower end of the
veranda. "The beggar actually looks pleased to go," said Mainwaring to
himself in wonderment.

"Oh! Jim," said Mrs. Bradley, appearing at the door.

"Yes," said Bradley, faintly, from the bushes.

"Minty's ready. You might take her home."

"All right. I'll wait."

"I hope I haven't frightened Miss Sharpe away," said Mainwaring. "She
isn't going, surely?"

"Only to get some better clothes, on account of company. I'm afraid
you are giving her a good deal of trouble, Mr. Mainwaring," said Mrs.
Bradley, laughing.

"She wished me to say good-by to you for her, as she couldn't come on
the veranda in her old shawl and sun-bonnet," added Louise, who had
joined them. "What do you really think of her, Mr. Mainwaring? I call
her quite pretty, at times. Don't you?"

Mainwaring knew not what to say. He could not understand why they
could have any special interest in the girl, or care to know what he, a
perfect stranger, thought of her. He avoided a direct reply, however, by
playfully wondering how Mrs. Bradley could subject her husband to Miss
Minty's undivided fascinations.

"Oh, Jim always t