e artist.
But as they talked like two happy children he was watching them very
closely, especially the old man. In his eyes there was a peculiar
half-gloating expression, while a partly-suppressed sinister smile
lurked about the corners of his mouth.

"May we show this paper to Miss Lois?" Betty asked, turning suddenly
toward the artist. As she did so, she started, for intuitively she saw
something in the man's face which frightened her. Whatever it was, it
instantly dispelled the happiness which possessed her. The artist
noticed this, and it annoyed him. He shrugged his shoulder and gave a
short laugh.

"Yes, you may keep the paper," he said. "I am through with it. But I
must get on with my work now."

They stood and watched him as he walked away carrying with him his
easel and camp-stool.

"I am afraid of him," Betty whispered to her companion. Then she
shivered as if cold.

"Why, what's the matter?" David asked in surprise. "What makes you
afraid of that man? He is only a harmless artist, and he was very kind
to us this morning. I feel most grateful for the paper he has given
us."

"I know that, but I don't want to see him again," the girl replied. "I
saw something in his eyes which I don't like. I can't explain it, but
it makes me afraid of him. I hope he will go away soon."

"Tut, girl, that is all nonsense," David chided. "It is just a notion
on your part. I like him well enough for a stranger. What harm can he
do us?"

During the rest of the morning Betty could not get clear of the feeling
of fear which possessed her, and David worried much over her unusual
silence. She longed to see Lois that she might talk it all over with
her. In fact she had her mind made up to visit her that afternoon when
an unlooked-for excitement changed the entire current of her thoughts,
and put the artist out of her mind for the rest of the day.

It was just after dinner when the captain and David were out upon the
verandah enjoying their pipes, when a big car lurched up and stopped in
front of the house. To David's surprise he saw Mr. Westcote alight and
come up the verandah steps. He at once rose to meet him.

"I have come to give you a ride in my car," Mr. Westcote informed
David, after he had been introduced to the captain, and had handed him
a cigar. "It is a pity to take you from such a beautiful place as
this," and he cast his eyes over the sloping fields before him. "But,
I would like for yo