room looking as much as possible as when Mr.
Darrell had it, and I shall use it as a waiting-room whenever I have to
wait for papa; it will be much pleasanter than waiting in that dusty,
musty old office of his."

"My room at the camp will look very bare and plain now," said Darrell,
"after all the luxuries with which you have surrounded me; though I
will, of course, get accustomed to it in a few days."

Kate and her aunt slyly exchanged smiles, which Darrell in his momentary
abstraction failed to observe. They chatted pleasantly for a few
moments, but underneath the light words and manner was a sadness that
could not be disguised, and it was with a still heavier heart that
Darrell returned to his work after Kate and her aunt had gone.

At last all was done, the last package was stowed away in the large
wagon which was to carry the goods to camp, and the team moved up the
street in the direction of The Pines, where it was to remain over night
ready for an early start the next morning. Darrell, after a farewell
survey of the little room, followed on foot, heartsick and weary, going
directly to the stables to see the wagon safely stored for the night. He
was surprised to see a second wagon, loaded with furniture, rugs, and
pictures, all of which looked strangely familiar, and which on closer
inspection he recognized as belonging to the room which he had always
occupied at The Pines. He turned to Bennett, who was standing at a
little distance, ostensibly cleaning some harness, but quietly enjoying
the scene.

"Bennett, what does this mean?" he inquired. "Where are these goods
going?"

"To the camp, sir."

"Surely not to the mining camp, Bennett; you must be mistaken."

"No mistake about it, sir; they goes to Camp Bird to-morrow morning;
them's Mrs. Dean's orders."

Darrell was more touched than he cared to betray. He went at once to the
house, and in the hall, dim with the early twilight, was met by Mrs.
Dean herself.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Darrell," she began, "but you can't occupy your room
to-night; you'll have to take the one adjoining on the south. Your room
was torn up to-day, and we haven't got it put to rights yet."

"Mrs. Dean," Darrell answered, his voice slightly unsteady, "you are too
kind; it breaks a fellow all up and makes this sort of thing the
harder!"

Mrs. Dean turned on the light as though for a better understanding.

"I don't see any special kindness in turning you out of your room on
your la