she was different. Oh, _very_
different!

His friend was eying him critically, with queer little grunts, according
to his fashion. "You're not fit to walk," he grumbled. "Why _will_ young
folks wear shoes that don't fit! Say, you take Lady Jean home while I go
over to the club-house with the major. And keep the car if you don't
find me. I'll go back with Standish. And--I don't know but you better
take her 'round the head of the island and show her that motor
mowing-machine--lawn-mower, you know; I want her to see it."

He grinned as the young people obeyed him with grateful docility,
speeding away in his electric runabout; and bestowed a look of orphic
sagacity upon the officer in white undress uniform who had joined him.
The officer was younger than Rivers, although not young.

"That is one of the very finest little ladies in the world," he
remarked.

To which Rivers returned dryly, "So you've told me. And that's one of
the finest, decentest, cleanest fellows in the world with her."

"As you've told _me_."

Rivers grunted. "Go over that lingo you told me about the girl again--or
I'll repeat to see if I've got it straight. She's the fifth daughter of
the Earl of Paisley, Scotch earl, and poor as even a Scotch earl can be.
He has no sons. Distant cousin heir to title. Countess dead. Oldest
daughter married to Baron Fairley; second, widow of a bishop; third,
wife of army officer. Bishopess manages family. She has brought Lady
Moira and the earl over here to give American millionaires a chance with
Lady Moira, who is the family beauty; and little Jean, who is good as
gold, and has sense, but isn't showy, was just thrown in because an
old-maid aunt offered to pay her expenses. Your wife, who knew them in
Scotland, asked her to come here while the Bishopess, in New York, picks
out the most eligible of the millionaire admirers. So?"

"Yes. Well?"

"Come on over to the club-house; and while we rest a bit, you telephone
over to Mrs. Brooke, who only needs a tip to go straight, to _make_
Willy Butler stay to dinner--"

"Oh, I say--" began the major.

"No, you don't say anything. You don't ask questions. You have
confidence in your Uncle Jabez and do what he asks. _Not?_"

"I will," said the major, and he went away smiling.

* * * * *

How astonishing to be taking a girl about alone and not be in torments
of embarrassment! But this girl was so nice and simple and boyish; not
the le