nd to go to New York and try to get a place as stewardess on one
of the ocean steamers, so as to go after him! I'll think of it, anyway."

The conversation was interrupted by the opening of the door and the
entrance of Miss Meeke, followed by Dr. Ingle.

There was a pretty flush on the usually pale cheeks of the young
governess, and some little embarrassment in her manner, which was almost
unnoticed, however, in the cordial greeting that was given to the young
physician by all the family and guests in the room, and with all of whom
he was acquainted, excepting only the lady from the California mines, to
whom Mrs. Force duly presented him, and by whom he was received with
gushing welcome.

"Sit right down here on the sofa by me, doctor! I dare say you have heard
a deal of reports about me, and now I'm gwine to tell you the truth about
myself, so that you can get it pure and fresh from first quarters!"

And, having found a new auditor, the lady from Wild Cats' began the story
of her life, and talked on until the dinner was announced. That stopped
her.

CHAPTER XXXVI

LE AND HIS "UNCLE"

"Come into the library with me, my dear boy, I want to have a private talk
with you," said Mr. Force, some hours later in the afternoon, as he led
the way into his little sanctum in the rear of the hall.

The guests had all left the house. Miss Sibby had ridden off on her mule;
the young doctor had ambled away on his cob, and Roland had set out to
walk to Forest Rest.

But when we say the guests had all gone, we except, of course, the
permanent visitor, the lively lady from California. She was still in the
house, and likely to continue there.

"Le, my dear boy," said Mr. Force, as soon as the two were seated in the
library, "I want you to give me your word of honor that you will never
send a challenge, or accept a challenge, to fight a duel as long as you
live."

"Uncle Abel, I give you my word of honor, with all my heart and soul in
it, that I never will," earnestly and solemnly replied the young man.

"Thank you, my boy, thank you! Give me your hand on it! There, you are my
own dear lad again!"

"Uncle Abel, you must think very badly of me for my madness and folly."

"No, I do not, Le. No, I do not, dear lad. I know that your wrongs and
your temptations were almost more than the spirit of man could bear,
especially the spirit of a young man; and I thank the Heavenly Father that
you have been saved from sin and de