nscious culprit, but
this was not for his sister's or Ruth's ears--not, at least, until he
could get at the exact facts for himself.

"He is as sensitive as a plant," continued Peter; "he closes all up at
times. But he is genuine, and he is sincere--that's better than poise,
sometimes."

"Well, then, maybe Ruth has offended him," suggested Miss Felicia.
"No--she couldn't. Ruth, what have you done to young Mr. Breen?"

The girl threw back her head and laughed.

"Nothing."

"Well, he went off as if he had been shot from a gun. That is not like
him at all, I should say, from what I have seen of him. Perhaps I should
have looked after him a little more. I tried once, but I could not get
him away from you. His manner is really charming when he talks, and he
is so natural and so well bred; not at all like his friend, of whom he
seems to think so much. How did you like him, dear Ruth?"

"Oh, I don't know." She knew, but she didn't intend to tell anybody.
"He's very shy and--"

"--And very young."

"Yes, perhaps."

"And very much of a gentleman," broke in Peter in a decided tone. None
should misunderstand the boy if he could help it.

Again Ruth laughed. Neither of them had touched the button which had
rung up her sympathy and admiration.

"Of course he is a gentleman. He couldn't be anything else. He is from
Maryland, you know."

CHAPTER X

Reference has been made in these pages to a dinner to be given in the
house of Breen to various important people, and to which Mr. Peter
Grayson, the honored friend of the distinguished President of the
Clearing House, was to be invited. The Scribe is unable to say whether
the distinguished Mr. Grayson received an invitation or not. Breen may
have thought better of it, or Jack may have discouraged it after closer
acquaintance with the man who had delighted his soul as no other man
except his father had ever done--but certain it is that he was not
present, and equally certain is it that the distinguished Mr. Portman
was, and so were many of the directors of the Mukton Lode, not to
mention various others--capitalists whose presence would lend dignity to
the occasion and whose names and influence would be of inestimable value
to the future of the corporation.

As fate would have it the day for assuaging the appetites of these
financial magnates was the same that Miss Felicia had selected for her
tea to Ruth, and the time at which they were to draw up their chairs but