ndkerchief on which his monogram was worked in blue.

When the 'busses brought up their loads, he was always on hand to watch
the newcomers. He took a long time at his dinners, and appeared to
order a great deal and eat very little. There were card-rooms and a
billiard-hall, not to mention a bowling-alley and a tennis-court, where
the other guests of the hotel spent much time. But this man never
visited them. He sat often with one of the late reviews in his hand,
looking as if he intended giving his attention to it at any moment.
But after he had scrupulously cut the leaves with a little carved ivory
paper-cutter, he sat staring straight before him with the book open, but
unread, in his hand.

Kate took more interest in this melancholy, middle-aged man than she
would have done if she had not been on the outlook for her Western
type,--the man who was to combine all the qualities of chivalry, daring,
bombast, and generosity, seasoned with piquant grammar, which she firmly
believed to be the real thing. But notwithstanding this kindly and
somewhat curious interest, she might never have made his acquaintance if
it had not been for a rather unpleasant adventure.

The major was "closing up a deal" and had hurried away after breakfast,
and Kate, in the luxury of convalescence, half-reclined in a great chair
on the veranda and watched the dusky blue mist twining itself around the
brown hills. She was not thinking of the babies; she was not worrying
about home; she was not longing for anything, or even indulging in
a dream. That vacuous content which engrosses the body after long
indisposition, held her imperatively. Suddenly she was aroused from this
happy condition of nothingness by the spectacle of an enormous bull-dog
approaching her with threatening teeth. She had noticed the monster
often in his kennel near the stables, and it was well understood that he
was never to be permitted his freedom. Now he walked toward her with a
solid step and an alarming deliberateness. Kate sat still and tried to
assure herself that he meant no mischief, but by the time the great body
had made itself felt on the skirt of her gown she could restrain her
fear no longer, and gave a nervous cry of alarm. The brute answered with
a growl. If he had lacked provocation before, he considered that he had
it now. He showed his teeth and flung his detestable body upon her;
and Kate felt herself growing dizzy with fear. But just then an arm was
interpos