e withdrawal had been by mutually spontaneous
desire or whether the initiative had been the sheriff's or Miss
Engle's. Not that it mattered or concerned her in any slightest
particular.

In her hand was the note of introduction she had brought from Mrs. Seth
Morgan; evidently both its services and those of Roderick Norton might
be dispensed with in the matter of her being presented.

"Of course," Mrs. Engle was saying. An arm about the girl's slim
waist, she drew her to a big leather couch. "Marian never does things
by halves, my dear; you know that, don't you? That's a letter she gave
you for me? Well, she wrote me another, so I know all about you. And,
if you are willing to accept the relationship with out-of-the-world
folks, we're sort of cousins!"

Virginia Page flushed vividly. She had known all along that her mother
had been a distant relative of Mrs. Engle, but she had had no desire,
no thought of employing that very faint tie as an argument for being
accepted by the banker's family. She did not care to come here like
the proverbial poor relation.

"You are very kind," she said quietly, her lips smiling while her eyes
were grave. "But I don't want you to feel that I have been building on
the fact of kinship; I just wanted to be friends if you liked me, not
because you felt it your duty. . . ."

Engle, who had come, dragging his chair after him, to join them,
laughed amusedly.

"Answering your question, Mrs. Engle," he chuckled, "I'd certainly know
her for Virginia Page! When we come to know her better maybe she will
allow us to call her Cousin Virginia? In the meantime, to play safe, I
suppose that to us she'd better be just Dr. Page?"

"John is as full of nonsense after banking hours," explained Mrs.
Engle, still affectionately patting Virginia's hand, "as he is crammed
with business from nine until four. Which makes life with him
possible; it's like having two husbands, makes for variety and so saves
me from flirting with other men. Now, tell us all about yourself."

Virginia, who had been a little stiff-muscled until now, leaned back
among the cushions unconscious of a half sigh of content and of her
relaxation. During the long day San Juan had sought to frighten, to
repel her. Now it was making ample amends: first the companionable
society of Rod Norton, then this simple, hearty welcome. She returned
the pressure of Mrs. Engle's soft, warm hands in sheer gratitude.

After that they