from the cities. He was also
young, and appeared considerably embarrassed, but he took off his hat
and made the girl a little bow. She flung the door open, and stood
very straight and still before him.

"You may come in," she said.

The stranger glanced at her swiftly, and Nellie Townshead was somewhat
astonished to see the blood mantle to his forehead. "Very sorry, but I
see you guess who I am," he said, with a crisp, English intonation. "I
am here to--well, you understand--on behalf of Mr. Hallam, but I really
wouldn't be if I could help it."

"You can put your horse in the stable, and then I will give you some
supper," said the girl, in a coldly even tone. "There is still a
little to eat here, and you must be hungry."

The man appeared dubious, and stood still a moment, then touched his
hat again when he saw the crimson flame higher in the cheeks of the
girl.

"Of course," he said; "I'm going."

Nellie Townshead laughed bitterly. "If I had intended to shut you out
I should scarcely have asked you in," she said.

The young man came back in a few minutes, and by that time there were a
few plates upon the table. He sat down, and then stood up once more
when he saw the girl standing close by with a tray.

"You must let me wait upon myself," said he. "During the course of my
last ranching visit they set savage dogs on me, and I wouldn't trouble
you, only that I've ridden fifty miles, and am very hungry."

The girl seemed to soften, for she saw he was talking at random to
cover her embarrassment as well as his own. "You are an Englishman?"
she said.

"Yes," said the stranger. "I'm not especially proud of it just now,
but, you see, a man must live."

Townshead looked up from his chair. "I fancy that is a slightly
mistaken sentiment. Some men are better dead, and I occasionally feel
tempted to include myself in the category."

The young man smiled a little. "The Frenchman put it a trifle more
concisely, sir," he said.

Townshead nodded. "Still, he was correct. I don't mind admitting that
I looked forward to your visit with apprehension, but I now fancy you
will not jar upon me so much as I expected."

The stranger glanced at Miss Townshead, who, though she wished to,
could not quite check a smile. He was very young, and had a pleasant
face. "That was very kind of you," he said. "Now, I think the least
that I can do is to retire to the barn or stable. I have some
blankets, and can make my