lize what you were doing when you snubbed
him," put in the Duke. "I haven't been able to get him out of the woods
since--till now, and I've had to bring him almost by main force."

The carriage was at the door. The State chairman led the way to it. He
had a home for his family apart from the big hotel, the mammoth hostelry
of the State--one of his many business ventures.

"We are on our way home from our morning ride--it's the real jolly part
of the June day, the two hours before breakfast," explained the girl, as
they went down the steps. "When we called here for father you may
imagine how delighted we were to find your grandfather. I know you
understand, Mr. Harlan Thornton, what a dear old man your grandfather
is!"

"He has been mother, father, brother, and sister and best friend--all
those to me. He has seemed to have some of the elements of all.

"I know of the good things he has done, and how ungrateful some of the
folks are he has helped. Your grandfather would be a real saint if it
were not for politics. You know we folks at the State capital hear
politics talked all the time. I suppose my good father has the same
wicked things said about him--though, of course, I don't hear them."

"And I've been too deep in the woods to hear."

Presson ushered his wife and the young people into the carriage.

"Thelismer and I would rather walk," he said. "We have some more matters
to talk over." And he sent them away.

Harlan took his seat opposite the ladies, and now, in this close
proximity, he realized how charming the young girl was. From the close
braids of her brown hair to the tips of her bronze shoes she was womanly
grace and refinement personified. There was a cordial frankness in her
tone and eyes that attracted him, and put him at his ease. Yet there was
no hint of coquetry. He liked her at once and instinctively, because
somehow she seemed to meet him on a manly plane of good-fellowship--and
yet she was so thoroughly and deliciously feminine. There was just a bit
of a drawl in her voice, a suggestion of jocoseness, continual
appreciation of the humor of life and living. And her laugh was an
inspiration.

He was a little surprised at himself when he found that he was chatting
with her so easily. Later, when he reflected, he understood. She had
almost a masculine breadth of view in addition to her culture. In that
first day of their meeting she gave voice to some of his own unexpressed
views regarding the t