attle company, and, particularly, that he wanted to marry Florence soon
after his arrival home and would bring a minister from Douglas for that
purpose.

Madeline went so far, however, as to promise Helen and her friends that
she would go East soon, at the very latest by Thanksgiving. With that
promise they were reluctantly content to say good-by to the ranch and
to her. At the last moment there seemed a great likelihood of a hitch
in plans for the first stage of that homeward journey. All of Madeline's
guests held up their hands, Western fashion, when Link Stevens appeared
with the big white car. Link protested innocently, solemnly, that he
would drive slowly and safely; but it was necessary for Madeline to
guarantee Link's word and to accompany them before they would enter the
car. At the station good-bys were spoken and repeated, and Madeline's
promise was exacted for the hundredth time.

Dorothy Coombs's last words were: "Give my love to Monty Price. Tell him
I'm--I'm glad he kissed me!"

Helen's eyes had a sweet, grave, yet mocking light as she said:

"Majesty, bring Stewart with you when you come. He'll be the rage."

Madeline treated the remark with the same merry lightness with which it
was received by the others; but after the train had pulled out and
she was on her way home she remembered Helen's words and looks with
something almost amounting to a shock. Any mention of Stewart, any
thought of him, displeased her.

"What did Helen mean?" mused Madeline. And she pondered. That mocking
light in Helen's eyes had been simply an ironical glint, a cynical gleam
from that worldly experience so suspicious and tolerant in its wisdom.
The sweet gravity of Helen's look had been a deeper and more subtle
thing. Madeline wanted to understand it, to divine in it a new relation
between Helen and herself, something fine and sisterly that might lead
to love. The thought, however, revolving around a strange suggestion of
Stewart, was poisoned at its inception, and she dismissed it.

Upon the drive in to the ranch, as she was passing the lower lake, she
saw Stewart walking listlessly along the shore. When he became aware of
the approach of the car he suddenly awakened from his aimless sauntering
and disappeared quickly in the shade of the shrubbery. This was not by
any means the first time Madeline had seen him avoid a possible meeting
with her. Somehow the act had pained her, though affording her a relief.
She did not wan