we go in to your family now, or will
they not think you have been spirited away?"

He took the candle from her, and they retraced their steps. As she
turned the handle of the door, she said,--

"Will you give me the candle, please, and walk in? I am going upstairs."

"Are you coming down again?" he asked, standing abruptly still.

"Oh, yes. Father," she called, opening wide the door, "here is Dr.
Kemp."

With this announcement she fled up the staircase.

She had come up for some cigars; but when she got into her father's
room, she seated herself blindly and looked aimlessly down at her hands.
What a blessed reprieve this was! If she could but stay here! She could
if it were not for the peace-pipe. Such a silly performance too! Father
kept those superfine cigars over in the cabinet there. Should she bring
only two as usual? Then she was going? Why not? It would look very rude
not to do so. Besides, she wondered what they were talking about. She
supposed she must have looked very foolish in that gown with her hair
all mussed; and then his eyes---- She arose suddenly and walked to the
dressing-table with her light. After all, it was not very unbecoming.
Had her face been so white all the evening? Louis liked her face to be
colorless. Oh, she had better hurry down.

"Here comes the chief!" cried her mother as she entered. "Now, Doctor,
you can see the native celebrating her natal day."

"She enacts the witch," said her father "and sends us, living, to the
happy hunting-grounds. Will you join us, Doctor?"

"If Lachesis thinks me worthy. Is the operation painful?"

He received no answer as Ruth came forward with a box of tempting
Havanas. She selected one, and placing the box on a chair, reached to
the high-tiled mantel-shelf, whence she took a tiny pair of scissors and
deftly cut off the point of the cigar. She seemed quite unconscious that
all were watching her. Louis handed her a lighted match, and putting the
cigar between her lips, she lit it into life. The doctor was amused.

She blew up a wreath of the fragrant smoke and handing it to her father,
said,--

"With this year's love, Father."

The doctor grew interested.

She took another, and lighting it as gracefully, and without the
slightest approach to Bohemianism, gave it into Louis's outstretched
hand.

"Well?" he suggested, holding it from his lips till she had spoken.

"I can think of nothing you care for sufficiently to wish you."

"Nothing?"