own in the
porch, as he had intended, he was impelled to walk restlessly to
a neighboring grove! For one so intensely fraternal he felt he was
continuing to "take on" in a very unnecessary style.

"Confound that woman!" he muttered. "Why did she have to come in just
then, and why should I blush like a schoolgirl because she caught me
kissing one that I regard as a sister? And why did the word sister
sound so unnatural when spoken by Mrs. Hobson? 'Great Scott!' as Henry
says, I hope I'm not growing to love Madge. She would overwhelm me
with ridicule, infused, perhaps, with a spice of contempt, if I gave
her the impression that I had fallen out of love one week and in the
next. Hang it! I'm all broken up from this day's experience. I had
better get on my feet mentally, and then I shall be able to find out
where I stand."

The demon of restlessness soon drove him back to the house again, and
he learned that there would be a train in about two hours. They would
still have time to dine at the Kaaterskill and return before night. He
therefore made arrangements to be driven to the station, also to have
the horse he had ridden and the saddles taken back to the Under-Cliff
House.

There was a faint after-glow on Madge's cheeks when she joined him at
the substantial repast which Mr. and Mrs. Hobson insisted upon their
partaking before departure; but in all other respects she appeared
and acted as usual. With a fineness of tact she was at home among her
plain entertainers, and put them at ease. Mrs. Hobson continued to
speak of her as Graydon's sister, and he had darted a humorous glance
at the girl; but it met such grave impassiveness of expression that he
feared she was angry.

When parting from her hostess Madge spoke words which left a genial
expression on the good dame's face for hours thereafter, and at the
station Graydon put in Mr. Hobson's hand more than he could have
gathered from his stony farm that day, although he had been called
from the harvest field.

During the first mile or two in the cars Madge was very quiet, and
seemed almost wholly engrossed with the scenery. At last Graydon
leaned toward her and asked, "Are you vexed with me, Madge?"

"I find that I must maintain my self-control when with you, Graydon,"
was the grave reply.

"Forgive me, Madge. I scarcely knew what I was doing. Let your
thoughts take my part a little. Remember that within the hour I had
believed I had lost you. I haven't had a chan