f entirely from their ken they could go on
living happily! Just because he had happened to meet these two girls
under exceptional circumstances was no justification for placing them
on pedestals. King Solomon had the right idea. Poof! the seven seas
were full of fish!

With which swaggering philosophy did this strong-minded young man sweep
all womenkind from his thoughts--all but Aunt Dolly, who had no equal
anywhere in the world. He had left himself just enough time to get to
the station without undue haste. Sparrow Lake was a popular summer
resort for those who wished to forget the noise of the city and enjoy
the quiet surroundings of forest and lake, where good fishing was to be
had in combination with fresh cream daily and vegetables in season.
The cottage the Warings had rented for the season was on one of the
islands, and two hours later Phil was rowing eagerly over from the
station landing. He let out a whoop like a wild Indian to announce his
arrival and his aunt came running down to meet him, her gentle face
alight with pleasure and surprise. He swept her up off her feet and
kissed her till her cheeks were wild-rose pink, very becoming with her
fluffy aureole of snow-white hair.

Arm in arm they went towards the cottage, talking and laughing. The
two were very near to each other and he had a lot of interesting things
to tell her. He knew she would be delighted to learn of his new
position as Ben Wade's private secretary and she was; but he was
careful to keep from her any details of recent happenings that would be
liable to cause her anxiety. The conversation arranged its own
itinerary over such a wide range of topics that it was late that
evening before they had "talked themselves to a standstill," as he put
it.

Phil did not feel sleepy. Instead of retiring at once he lingered on
the screened balcony just off his room and lighted a final pipe of
tobacco. Back came the two mysterious young women to trouble his
thoughts and he did not dismiss them. The night was in harmony with
mystery; also there was a rising moon, hung low, golden like a lamp,
its dull glow lighting only the outer water spaces.

In that lake and forest country Nature seemed to brood in a deep hush
which but gathered accentuation from the raucous bass of the bullfrogs
and occasional weird night sounds of birds and animals in the depths of
the woods. The deep quiet was oppressive after the city's multitude of
noises. Earlier