as in the library reading. Twice she had put down her
book, and gone to the window to look out. It was growing dark, and had
begun to snow.

"How late they are," she said to herself, with an anxious glance at the
clock. "They ought to be back by this time, but I suppose they have
stayed listening to Mammy's stories, and forgotten the time."

She sat down again by the fire, and took up her book. But she was
feeling restless and nervous that afternoon, though she could not have
told why, and after reading a page, she closed the book again.

"I wish they would come," she said, impatiently. "No one knows what may
have happened; they may never have reached Mammy's cabin. I think I will
go and speak to George. He will laugh at me for worrying, but that will
be better than sitting here by myself. There's the clock striking six;
they should have been in an hour ago."

She rose, and was moving towards the door when she heard an approaching
footstep, and in another moment her brother-in-law himself came into the
room.

"I was just coming to look for you, George," she said; "I am getting a
little anxious about the children."

"The children are all right," said the doctor, quietly, sinking into the
arm-chair by the fire; "they came in half an hour ago, and have gone to
their rooms. Marjorie was feeling a little upset, and I advised her to
go and lie down till dinner-time."

Mrs. Randolph turned towards the door again.

"I think I will go and see if there is anything I can do for her," she
said. "It isn't like Marjorie to give up; I'm afraid she isn't well."

But Dr. Randolph held out a detaining hand.

"Sit down, Barbara," he said, "I want to talk to you. There is nothing
the matter with Marjorie or Beverly either. They have had a long ride,
and stopped at Mammy's for waffles. I want to ask you a favor. I have
just received some important news, which will necessitate my going West
at once, and I want you to let Beverly go with me."

Mrs. Randolph was very much surprised.

"But, George dear," she remonstrated gently, "college begins again on
Monday--do you think it wise to take the boy away just now?"

"I shall not be gone more than a week, and I want Beverly for company.
He has never seen much of his own country, and this trip to Arizona will
do him an immense amount of good. As for college, a few days more or
less won't make any material difference, and he can make up for lost
time when he gets back."

Mrs. Randol