ng down. It was a very sweet voice that sang, and sometimes the low notes were a little tremulous as though some tender emot

ad been that proud and desolate girl Maud Brian, gazed out upon it with happy, dreaming eyes. It had been a hot spring day and she was tired, but it was a pleasant

or behind her that led to another room.

ak

er. The failing light on his rugged face sho

"Why isn't the little 'un in bed?" he said

ht he and I would both of us have a little treat

sed the baby's placid foreh

Persians-he is not going to sleep with his mother any longer. He is to

o law that I know of," he said in his sl

his-beautiful eyes, dee

all settled, an

atter so much

it's all right. Nurse understands him. I won't hav

ent down. "Let me have him!

wake him!

ed it from her. The baby made a small noise that s

e!" said Jake.

touch of wistfulness, but she did not move, and in a few minutes he came

said softly.

e neck, laying her head

d?" h

lain anyway." She spoke in a whisper

more help,

dear. I don't want the children taken out of my h

for a change,"

with her lips raised to hi

t wife a man ever had. I belie

e whispered against the l

eeting, but the wealth of her answering love still filled his soul with wonder. Over and over again he would tell himself that

le thing about today's meet

n my soul I had forgott

irst laurels. He won by

m tremendously glad. And what about Charlie? Was h

es, he was there." Jake'

look at him. "I hope you as

to that on your behalf. He considers-and with reason-that

right, her eyes burning like

n't," s

perfectly hateful of him!

release herself from his h

own with Bunny, and he didn't mean any harm.

our will,"

I've no objection to entertaining him if you wish it

her flushed cheek in a conciliatory fashion

g. But-you are master i

it without y

Saltash?"

said Maud, still b

e up like that or I shouldn't have spoken. He didn't mean it that way. If he had, I'd have punched his head. And after all," his eyes smi

ranch by this time, and-and-and generally l

ll, Saltash is coming, so we've got to make the best of it. I shouldn't care a cuss if it weren't

g a little, "I don't believe C

ing for him, heaven knows, but I can't say I think his so

ite understand him,"

t she looked at him with raised brow

ings, he and I, from the day I cowhided him for a sco

d quickly. "He wasn't much more than a boy i

ou? Well, I must dress. He may be

im for a moment. "Jake," she said almost wistfully, "yo

king down at her. "He's

said. "It-isn't it rather unge

of contempt or scepticis

chair by his arm. "Jake, I wa

d Jake unco

t me be alone with him and find out-if he will tell me-whether there

've found out

that I might be-a help to him if ever there came an opportunity. Jake, you don't mind m

Jake said. "But-do what seems good

't be vexed?

mile. "No, I reckon you'll never v

t-don't you understand? I hate to go agains

edn't be afraid of that either,"

own. "That's the best thing you've ever said to

d pulled her to him t