ce to tell you yet, but
when you passed under the train you appeared from where I was to dash
into it, and I nearly fainted and fell off my horse. Think what a
horrible shock I had. I also was nervous and all broken up--the first
time in my life that I remember being so. I couldn't cry as you did,
and when off my balance kissing you was just as natural to me as--"
Madge's mouth had been twitching, and now, in spite of herself, her
laugh broke forth.

"Please forgive me, Madge;" and he held out his hand.

"On condition that you will never do so again, or speak of it again."

"Never?" he repeated, ruefully.

"Never!" she said, with severe emphasis.

"I won't make any such promise," he replied, stubbornly.

"Oh, very well!" and she turned to the window.

"Confound it!" he thought; "I'm not going to tie myself up by any such
pledge. I'm not sure of myself, or sure of anything, except that I'm a
free man, and that Madge won't be my sister. I shall remain free. She
herself once said in effect that I could take a straight course
when once I got my bearings, and I shall permit no more promises or
trammels till I do get them."

They passed speedily on to the end of their journey, and were the
perfection of quiet, well-bred travellers, he disguising a slightly
vexatious constraint and sense of unduly severe punishment, and she
secretly exulting over the fact that he would not make the promise.

When leaving the Kaaterskill station her eyes first rested on the
adjacent lake, and its wide extent suggested the opportunity to pull
an oar to some purpose. As the stage surmounted the last approach
to the hotel, and the valley of the Hudson, with the river winding
through it like a silver band, broke upon her vision, the apparent
cloud passed from her brow, and her pleasure was unaffected. A few
inquiries and the study of a map of the vicinity made it evident that
the region abounded in superb walks and drives, while from the
front piazza there was a panorama that would never lose its changing
interest and beauty. A suite of rooms was selected, with the
understanding that they should be occupied on Wednesday.

Madge soon found herself the object of no little curiosity and
interest. The story of her mad ride had reached the house, and she
was recognized by some who had been on the train; but Graydon met
inquiries in such a way that they were not pushed very far. To a
reporter he said, "Is this affair ours or the public's? We