It was so natural for them to give him their confidence, they could not
withhold it from him, for it seemed to belong to him. Then again, there
are some persons who possess that power of discernment, that spiritual
insight for seeing through and through any one; nay, more, they appear
to have the power of entering into your most secret thoughts, they enter
as if by right, the rooms of your soul and see all its furniture; they
open even the secret chambers, and enter as if they had been there
before many a time, and when you think you are about to take them into
your confidence, you find that they know what you are about to tell
them.

Penloe possessed that gift, and Mrs. Herne realized that he had read her
book of secrets, that he knew all, and, therefore, when she took him
into her confidence, she did so with the half thought that he was there
some time before. She knew that Penloe was competent to give information
on any subject, and he was her true friend, and, therefore, she could
trust him fully.

One day when Penloe and Mrs. Herne were sitting on the porch admiring
the beauties of Nature all around them, Mrs. Herne said: "Penloe, don't
you think this is a beautiful place?"

When she made that remark, he knew what she was going to speak to him
about.

Penloe replied: "There is not a ranch in Orangeville that has so much in
the way of the expression of fine taste and natural beauty as your
home."

Mrs. Herne said: "I shall never forget how delighted I was when I came
here as a bride, and thought could I wish for more, for my cup seemed
full to overflowing. With this comfortable house and beautiful grounds,
and such a feeling of brotherhood existing between my husband and the
men, and everything running so harmoniously, nothing appeared to be
wanting."

"Yes," said Penloe. "You certainly have an exceptionally fine man in
some respects for a husband; I admire him very much."

"And I know he does you," replied Mrs. Herne; continuing, she said:
"Since you have favored us with your company and he has been with you
more, I can just begin to see some kind of change come over him; I
hardly know how to describe it; for it is only just commencing; I notice
it a little at times."

Penloe seemed to be absorbed in thought and made no reply.

Mrs. Herne waited a minute or two, and then said: "I often think how
thankful I ought to be that I have such a fine man for a husband, and
yet, in one way, I have not realized my