his trail, there was to all appearances no difference
between this trip and any other. We had breasted equally severe storms,
and come home, laughing. I feel sure Peter met with an accident,--or, it
may be,--probably enough,--his strength suddenly gave out, or even his
heart went bad, or something like that. Perhaps he couldn't shout. I
blame myself, of course, for not looking back sooner, but I do honestly
feel that it was not a culpable omission."

"Of course it wasn't! I see just how it was. Great, big, stalwart Peter
was not a baby to be looked after by you others. But--oh, Gilbert,--it's
so dreadful to think of his dying there alone! Perhaps he--he didn't die
right away----"

"Don't, Carly! Try not to think about that. Think only that old Peter
Boots is gone,--that he lived a fine, clean, splendid life, and met his
end bravely, whatever happened. And, too, I'm told that he couldn't have
suffered much. He must have lost consciousness very quickly."

"Yes,--I suppose so. But--oh, Gilbert, I didn't know how much I cared,
until--until I lost him."

"I know, dear,--it's awful hard for you. Come on, get your hat and let's
go over to Julie's. I haven't seen her yet, and I promised to call
to-day."

They went to the Cranes', and found Shelby already there.

It was tea hour, and several people were gathered about Julie's pretty
tea table.

For the Crane family, though in mourning, received gladly the intimate
friends who had loved Peter, and who came, full of sympathy, to talk of
him.

Julie received Blair with a warm welcome, but,--or at least so Blair
thought,--she was a little cool in her greeting to Carlotta.

The two girls were pleasant enough, but there was an evident constraint
between them, and both turned quickly aside to talk to some one else.

Blair pondered. He was by way of noting significant details and his own
interest in Carly Harper made him quick to resent any slight put upon
her. Not that Julie's attitude could be called really slighting, nor was
it more so than Carly's own, but there was some dissonance there.

His observation, though veiled by a pleasant, general interest in
everything, was no less acute, and he continued to note that the girls
really avoided each other. It was none of his business, but he was
curious and surprised at a state of affairs so different from the
intimacy he had known them to enjoy of old.

He bided his time, and at last, finding an opportunity, he spoke to
J