he country, and Teeters--who
gave her the careful but unenthusiastic attention he would have given to
a belligerent porcupine.

Pique and disappointment smouldered also in the bosom of her fair
daughter, who, if she had been less fair, might have been called sullen,
since these emotions evidenced themselves in a scornful silence, which
was not alleviated by the fact that Disston did not appear to notice it.

While the ladies attributed their occasional temperamental outbursts to
the altitude, which was "getting on their nerves," it was no secret
between them that their irritability was due to exasperation with
Disston. With scientific skill and thoroughness they dissected him
privately until he was hash, working their scalpels far into the watches
of the night with unflagging interest. His words, his actions, his
thoughts, as indicated by his changing expressions, were analyzed, yet,
to the present, Mrs. Rathburn, trained specialist that she was in this
branch of psychology, was obliged to confess herself baffled to discover
his real feelings and intentions toward her daughter.

From the first, Mrs. Rathburn had suspected the "sheep person," and had
cultivated Mrs. Emmeline Taylor who called for the purpose of obtaining
supplementary details to the brief history that she had been able to
extract from Disston and Teeters. What Mrs. Rathburn learned from that
source was, temporarily, eminently satisfactory and soothing. It was too
much to believe that Disston could be seriously interested in a woman of
Kate Prentice's reputation and antecedents. Her daughter's account of
her visit was equally gratifying, for Hugh Disston certainly was too
fastidious to be attracted by a woman so uncouth of appearance and
manner as portrayed in the vivid description the lady had received of
her from Beth.

Yet as she looked back it seemed to her that some subtle change had come
over Hugh from the very first day in Prouty, when he had seen the
Prentice person and colored. He had been eager to go and see her, and
had not been too keen for Beth's company upon the occasion, she had
imagined.

It was all a mystery, and, thoroughly discouraged, she was about
convinced that they were wasting precious time and ruining their
complexions.

Disston continued to polish vigorously, using the gun grease and cleaner
until the barrels through which he squinted were spotless and shining.
When it was to his satisfaction, Disston put the gun together