sorts of
bareback, daredevil stunts--"

"I know--I know. Yes, I'll be there to-morrow. You go, now,--here comes
my cousin."

With a quick glance at Farnsworth, who was approaching, the man walked
swiftly away.

"Who is he?" Bill asked, as he came up to Azalea.

"Friend of mine," she answered, gaily.

"What's his name?"

"That's telling!"

"I know it is, and I expect to be told."

"People don't always get all they expect."

"Don't trifle with me, Azalea; I'm not in a trifling mood. Who was that
man?"

"Ask me no questions and I'll tell you no lies. Now, now, Cousin
William, you know yourself, it's very rude to insist on prying into
other folks' secrets!"

"Why _is_ it a secret? What possible business can a man like that have
with you,--that I can't know about?"

"Why do you say 'a man like that'? He's all right."

"All right is a vague term. He's not one of our sort."

"Don't be a snob! Remember you were born and brought up in the West,
just as much as I was. And although you've now got to living high and
mighty, you needn't look down on me or my friends!"

"You're talking rubbish, Azalea. That man is not your friend,--he was
talking to you on some business matter."

"I'm not a business woman!"

"You're not a woman at all! You're a young girl, and a very silly
one,--to have secret dealings with a common-looking man. Now, as your
temporary guardian, I insist you tell me all about it"

"'Temporary guardian' is good! Who appointed you?"

"I'm that by reason of your being a guest in my house, and too in view
of the fact that you have, apparently, nobody to look after you. Your
father has mysteriously disappeared. You've had no word from him since
you've been here! So far as I know, you have no other relatives, and
so, as your nearest of kin, I propose to look after you,--if you will
let me. Don't be foolish, Azalea, dear," Farnsworth's voice took on a
tender tone, "_don't_ be antagonistic. I want to help you, not annoy
you. Why not look on me as a friend, and let me know all you're about?
There can be _no_ reason why I shouldn't."

"You might not approve," and Azalea looked at him uncertainly.

"Why? Are you up to anything wrong?"

"No," but she spoke hesitatingly, "not wrong, Cousin, but--all the same,
you might not approve."

"Tell me, and let me see. If it isn't wrong, I'll promise not to censure
you, even if I don't entirely approve."

Azalea's attention was attracted by the man who had l