l find out, though."

"I tell you this ain't no place for you," he admonished her. "Lordy!
They takes up folks that looks like you, for vagrants. Take my advice,
turn back to the mountings."

She looked at him with that same smile, still unimpressed.

For no reason which he could have well explained the man was almost
panic-stricken in his keen anxiety to get the girl away from the old
Layson homestead and the possibility of meeting those who dwelt therein.

"Here, if you'll go," he added, and thrust his hand into his pocket,
"I'll give you money--money to help you on your way."

Still she smiled at him with that aggravating, meaning smile; that smile
which he could by no means fathom and of which she scarcely knew the
meaning. "No," she said, "I don't want your money. You couldn't hire me
to leave the bluegrass till I've seen Frank Layson."

Seeing that she was determined, unable to conjecture what she had come
down for, realizing, upon second thought, that it was most improbable
that she had any tale to tell of him, he reluctantly gave way. "As you
will, then," he said slowly. "But let me warn you that you won't be
welcome hyar. You'll learn the difference between the mounting and the
bluegrass folks. You'd better think it over and turn back."

"I'll not," said she.

As he walked disgustedly away she watched him curiously. "I wonder why
he is so sot on makin' me go back?" she mused. "Maybe he air right in
sayin' that I won't be welcome; but I'll do my duty, just th' same!"

Neb came out from the stable. The girl saw him with delight. "Dellaw!"
she said. "How tired I be! Howdy, Uncle Neb; howdy!"

"Sakes alive!" he cried. "It's de frenomenom, come down frum de
mountains! Howdy, honey, howdy!" He hurried toward her and saw that she
was near to tears from weariness and the strain of what she had gone
through and what she had to tell. "Why, chil', what's de mattuh?"

"Pebble in my shoe," she answered, and busied herself as if removing
one. "All right in a minute. This air a long way from th' mountings."

"Honey, you don't mean you _walked_!"

"Had to. Wings ain't growed, yet. Say; I've come to bring a word to Mr.
Frank. Is he to home?" She motioned toward the stable, which was the
finest building she had ever seen.

"Yes; but he don't lib dar, honey."

"Don't he? Who does, then?"

"Queen Bess."

"Queen Bess!" The girl was thunderstruck; her worry choked her. She knew
Frank owned a blooded mare, but did