the dark eyes often strayed in her
direction, and that with unmistakable interest, even on so short an
acquaintance.

After that first visit the handsome young sergeant became a frequent
partaker of the hospitality of the "British Lion." He never omitted to
accompany the Pikes, and not seldom walked over on a summer's evening to
smoke a pipe with Stephen and feast his eyes surreptitiously upon
Stephen's attractive daughter. He proved, on acquaintance, to be an
intelligent, well-spoken young fellow, evidently superior to most of his
class; this was owing to the fact that he was a farmer's son, left,
through a combination of circumstances, orphaned and almost destitute,
who had found in the army a welcome means of livelihood.

It was not long before Spence was on as familiar a footing at the
"British Lion" as his fellow-sergeant. It was strange that both Stephen
Dale and his wife were altogether blind to the real reason for his
frequent visits. Penny, on the other hand, had early discerned the state
of the young man's feelings toward her; but instinctively she guarded her
secret from all. Even when Spence had spoken, and had learned her strong
affection for him, she insisted that all knowledge of their mutual
understanding should be kept from her parents until she could gauge their
feelings in the matter. She was not without uneasiness; for it seemed
extremely doubtful whether her father--much as he liked her lover--would
consider him suitable as a son-in-law. For her mother's opinion she felt
no anxiety; since Sarah Dale was thoroughly under her husband's thumb.
Penny's own strong will had come to her from her father alone.

The course of events was much like that of other instances of the kind.
Clandestine letters, less frequent meetings--as opportunity offered--ran
the usual risk; in due time, as might have been expected by any but
ardent lovers, the secret oozed out. Some busybody or other lost no time
in conveying the startling news to Stephen Dale, who had hitherto had no
suspicion of the state of things.

To say that Penny's father was disappointed would be an altogether
inadequate description of his state of mind; he was thoroughly enraged.
Never in her life had his daughter seen him give way to such unrestrained
passion; for never before had his hopes and aspirations been so entirely
thrown over. He had set his heart upon establishing his darling in a
position in life as far above his own as might be