n it. "I've
heard o' your doings over the mountain. She hain't no kin to me, but
I'll tell you one thing right now, Westerfelt, she's a good girl, an'
if you trifle with her feelings you'll have me to whip ur get a licking
yorese'f. I'm talking straight now, man to man."

Westerfelt rose, and the two men stood side by side, each staring into
the other's face.

"Don't be a fool," said Westerfelt, after a slight pause; "don't meddle
with what don't concern you," and he turned and left the room. He had
never allowed a man to threaten him in that sort of way, but he was in
no frame of mind to quarrel. Besides, there was something in the
lawyer's defence of Harriet that made him like the fellow.

He was about to cross the street to the stable when he saw Harriet come
out of the hotel and trip along the sidewalk towards the store. She
wore no hat or bonnet, but held a handkerchief over her head to protect
her face from the sun. He was sure she saw him, but she did not show
any sign of recognition. He kept on his way, but when she had
disappeared in the store he hesitated, then stopped, recrossed the
street, and turned into the store after her. She was standing on the
grocery side, tapping the counter with a coin. Martin Worthy was
behind the counter, weighing a package of soda for her. She flushed
red and then paled a little as Westerfelt entered and held out his hand.

"It's a pretty day," he said. "I'd like to take you to drive after
dinner, if you will go with me. I hated like smoke to miss that ride
yesterday."

She shook hands with him and then turned to Worthy, who was tying the
package with a piece of twine drawn from a ball in a holder at the
ceiling. Westerfelt was afraid she was going to ignore his invitation
wholly, but she looked round presently and smiled faintly.

"I shall be glad to go," she answered. "Any one else going?"

"No; that is, not that I know of."

She leaned over to give Worthy the money, and waited for the change
without glancing again at Westerfelt.

She took her parcel and started to leave. "Then I shall come about two
o'clock?" he said, going with her to the door.

She nodded. "Very well; I'll be ready," and he stood aside for her to
pass.

She walked briskly back to the hotel and into the kitchen, where her
mother was at work.

"Did you get it?" Mrs. Floyd asked.

"Yes, and there's the change." Harriet put down the package and
dropped some pieces of silver int