ould watch the
young men closer now that he knew the danger line.

He said simply to himself that he could not give her up to any one else
so soon. There would be a long life of joy and satisfaction to her, and
he knew she would not grudge him these few years. Then, too, he was
quite certain she had not even had an imaginary fancy for these two
men--Ben was nothing but a boy.

Anthony Drayton was to join them. Miss Winn was to be Cynthia's
companion. Mrs. Stevens had refused to trust her precious self to any
wilds, and bear and wolf hunts, though Mr. Giles declared they were not
going to take guns along. He was not an enthusiastic hunter. As for
Chilian, such sport did not attract him.

The journey was partly by stage, partly on horseback, and one or two
days they left the ladies at the tavern where they stopped. Cynthia was
charmed and amused at the uncouthness of the people and their dialect in
some places, and positive good breeding in others. Anthony unearthed a
college chum who was tally man at a sawmill. The new town was really
making progress. A small chapel had been started, a schoolhouse built.
And twenty years later it was a pretty town; in fifty years an
enterprising city.

"Anthony's going to be a first-class fellow. I should like to have such
a son. Chilian, you and I should have married and have sons and
daughters growing up. But at my time of life I should want them grown
up. And smart, as well. I always feel sorry for the fathers of dull
lads, when they have plenty of means to educate them. Yes, I should want
mine to have a good supply of brains."

Chilian Leverett enjoyed the change very much and the breath of spruce
and pine was invigorating. But there was a little nervous feeling about
Cynthia. Cousin Giles was somewhat of a lady's man, and he was on the
continual lookout that Cynthia should not tire herself unduly, that she
be assisted over the rough places, that she should have the best of
everything. He was almost jealous at times.

But Cynthia moved about gayly, serenely, full of merry little quips,
seizing the small ridiculous events with such a sense of amusement that
she inspirited them all. And he could not notice that she paid any more
attention to Anthony than either of her seniors. There was such a
genuine frankness in all she said and did, a charm of manner that was
just herself, and had none of the arts of society, but came from a heart
that overflowed with spontaneous warmth, but