figure in nurse's uniform
coming down the drive caught her attention. She was immediately
reminded of two facts: that the Burgeman estate was in Arden, and
that Burgeman senior was dying. Impulsively she turned toward the
nurse.

"Is Mr. Burgeman any better this morning?"

"We hardly expect that." The nurse's tone was cordial but
professionally cautious.

"I know"--Patsy nodded wisely, as if she had been following the case
professionally herself--"but there is often a last rallying of
strength. Isn't there?"

"Sometimes. I hardly think there will be anything very lasting in Mr.
Burgeman's case. There are moments, now, when his strength and will
are remarkably vigorous--any other man would be in his bed."

"Oh! Then he is--up?"

"He's taken about on a wheeled chair or cot. He is too restless to
stay in any place very long. He seems more contented outdoors, where
he can watch--" She broke off abruptly. "Lovely morning--isn't it?
Good-by."

She turned about and went up the drive again. Patsy watched her go, a
strange, brooding look in her eyes. "So--he likes to be out of doors
best--where he can be watching. And if a body chanced to trespass
that way--she might come upon him, sudden like, and stay long enough
to set him a-thinking. Would it be too late, now, I wonder?"

She resumed her way--and her memories. She passed a half-dozen more
driveways and she climbed a hill; and when she came to the top she
found herself looking down on a thickly wooded hamlet. Spires and
gabled roofs broke the foliage here and there, and on the rising
slope beyond towered a veritable forest. Patsy stood on the brink of
the hill and gazed down long and thoughtfully; at last she flung out
her arms in an impetuous gesture of confirmation, while the old,
whimsical smile crept into her lips.

"'Aye, now am I in Arden, the more fool I; when I was at home, I was
in a better place--but travelers must be content.'" And taking a firm
grip of her memories, her wits, and her courage, she went down the
hill.

XIV

ENTER KING MIDAS

When Patsy at last reached Arden she went direct to the post-office
and was there confronted by a huge poster occupying an entire wall:

THE SYLVAN PLAYERS

Under the Management of Geo. Travis

Presenting Wm. Shakespeare's Comedy

"AS YOU LIKE IT"

In the Forest of Arden, on the Estate of Peterson-Jones, Esq.

The date given was Wednesday, the day follow