rm.' He smiled and nodded--and I saw the look in his
eyes."

"Rob, you're the dearest sister a girl ever had given to her," Rosamond
answered, returning the embrace.

"And yet you two say I don't care for colour schemes," Roberta reminded
her as she returned to her hair-brushing. "I care enough for them to
want them made up of colours that will wash--warranted not to fade--that
will stand sun and rain and only grow the more beautiful!"

"What _are_ you talking about now, dear?" laughed Rosamond happily,
still thinking of what Stephen had said to Roberta.

CHAPTER V

RICHARD PRICKS HIS FINGERS

Hoofbeats on the driveway outside the window! Beside the window stood
the desk at which Richard was accustomed to work at Judge Gray's
dictation. And at the desk on this most alluring of all alluring
Indian-summer days in middle November sat a young man with every drop of
blood in his vigorous body shouting to him to drop his work and rush
out, demanding: "Take me with you!"

For there, walking their horses along the driveway from the distant
stables, were three figures on horseback. There was one with sunny
hair--Ruth--her brown habit the colour of the pretty mare she rode; one
with russet-gaitered legs astride of the little Arabian pony called
Sheik--Ted; one, all in dark, beautifully tailored green, with a soft
gray hat pulled over masses of dusky hair, her face--Richard could see
her face now as the horses drew nearer--all gay and eager for the
ride--Roberta.

Judge Gray, his glance following his companion's, looked out also. He
rose and came and stood behind Richard at the window and tapped upon the
pane, waving his hand as the riders looked up. Instantly all three faces
lighted with happy recognition and acknowledgment. Ruth waved and
nodded. Ted pulled off his cap and swung it. Roberta gave a quick
military salute, her gray-gauntleted hand at her hat brim.

Richard smiled with the Judge at the charming sight, and sighed with the
next breath. What a fool he had been to tie himself down to this desk
when other people were riding into the country! Yet--if he hadn't been
tied to that desk he would neither have known nor cared who rode out
from the old Gray stables, or where they went.

The Judge caught the slight escaping breath and smiled again as the
riders passed out of sight. "It makes you wish for the open country,
doesn't it?" said he. "I don't blame you. I should have gone with the
young folks myself