g better in
death than to have their bodies hoisted high atop of a hill, with
nothing to disturb."

As they rounded the top of the hill and the road came up behind them
like an inverted curtain, Miss Scovill gave one last backward look.
Lowell saw that she was weeping quietly, but unrestrainedly. He drove on
in silence until he pulled the automobile up in front of the Morgan
ranch.

"You'll find Miss Ervin here," said Lowell, stepping out of the car.
"This is the Greek Letter Ranch."

If the prospect brought any new shock to Miss Scovill, she gave no
indication of the fact. She answered Lowell steadily enough when he
asked her when he should call for her on her return trip.

"My return trip will be right now," she said. "I've thought it all
out--just what I'm to do, with your help. Please don't take my suitcase
from the car. Just turn the car around, and be ready to take us back
to-night--I mean Helen and myself. I intend to bring her right out and
take her away from this place."

Wonderingly Lowell turned the car as she directed. Miss Scovill knocked
at the ranch-house door. It was opened by Wong, and Miss Scovill stepped
inside. The door closed again. Lowell rolled a cigarette and smoked it,
and then rolled another. He was about to step out of the car and knock
at the ranch-house door when Helen and Miss Scovill came out, each with
an arm about the other's waist.

Miss Scovill's face looked whiter than ever in the moonlight.

"Something has happened," she said--"something that makes it impossible
for me to go back--for Helen to go back with me to-night. If you can
come and get me in the morning, I'll go back alone."

Lowell's amazement knew no bounds. Miss Scovill had made this long
journey from San Francisco to get Helen--evidently to wrest her at once
away from this ranch of mystery--and now she was going back alone,
leaving the girl among the very influences she had intended to combat.

"Please, Mr. Lowell, do as she says," interposed Helen, whose demeanor
was grave, but whose joy at this meeting with her teacher and foster
mother shone in her eyes.

"Yes, yes--you'll have our thanks all through your life if you will take
me back to-morrow and say nothing of what you have seen or heard," said
Miss Scovill.

Lowell handed Miss Scovill's suitcase to the silent Wong, who had
slipped out behind the women.

"I'm only too glad to be of service to you in any way," he said. "I'll
be here in the morning earl