with his pain as he thought how he would protect and care for
her, ministering to her comfort, and softening, as far as possible, the
disagreeable things which he saw must necessarily surround her. Money,
he knew, would purchase almost everything, and if ever Durward Bellmont
felt glad that he was rich, it was when he found 'Lena Rivers sick and
alone at the not very comfortable inn of Laurel Hill.

As he was entering the dining-room, he saw Jerry--whose long, lank
figure and original manner had afforded him much amusement during his
ride--handing a dozen or more oranges to Mrs. Aldergrass, saying, as he
did so, "They are for Miss 'Lena. I thought mebby they'd taste good,
this hot weather, and I ransacked the hull town to find the nicest and
best."

For a moment Durward's cheek flushed at the idea of Lena's being cared
for by such as Jerry, but the next instant his heart grew warm toward
the uncouth driver who, without any possible motive save the promptings
of his own kindly nature, had thus thought of the stranger girl.
Erelong the stage was announced as ready and waiting, but to the
surprise and regret of his fellow-passengers, who had found him a most
agreeable traveling companion, Durward said he was not going any
further that day.

"A new streak, ain't it?" asked Jerry, who knew he was booked for the
entire route; but the young man made no reply, and the fresh, spirited
horses soon bore the lumbering vehicle far out of sight, leaving him to
watch the cloud of dust which it carried in its train.

Uncle Timothy was in his element, for it was not often that a guest of
Durward's appearance honored his house with more than a passing call,
and with the familiarity so common to a country landlord, he slapped
him on the shoulder, telling him "there was the tallest kind of fish in
the Honeoye," whose waters, through the thick foliage of the trees were
just discernible, sparkling and gleaming in the bright sunlight.

"I never fish, thank you, sir," answered Durward, while the
good-natured landlord continued: "Now you don't say it! Hunt, then,
mebby?"

"Occasionally," said Durward, adding, "But my reason for stopping here
is of entirely a different nature. I hear there is with you a sick
lady. She is a friend of mine, and I am staying to see that she is
well attended to."

"Yes, yes," said Uncle Timothy, suddenly changing his opinion of 'Lena,
whose want of money had made him sadly suspicious of her. "Yes, yes