Part 22 (2/2)

I wish I were driving instead of Jo, but--”

He stood watching her as she sped back to where Jo was waiting, and his gaze still followed as the horses tore over the road to Westcott's. There was a far-away look in his eye and a faint smile about the curves of his mouth. Subconsciously, as though he were the one beside her, he followed in fancy after the wagon was lost to sight around the hills. He could see the point where the road would disappear into a plain, covered with soft gra.s.s over which the sleek horses would bound. He knew Jo's irresistible bubbling gaiety, and the sparkle she would add to it. He wondered why he had never thought to take her for a drive. There had been no chance to talk to her in their rides. She always put spurs to her horse when he tried to talk to her.

All sense of time left him. The symphony of the hill winds from the south was in his ears; the beauty of the day in all his being. Vividly he recalled their ride in the early dawn and the brief moment she had lain unconscious in his arms. Ever since that moment he had barricaded himself against her appeal and charm. He felt himself yielding and knew that the yielding was bringing him happiness.

”I am in a Fool's Paradise,” he thought, ”but still a Paradise. She doesn't care for me any more than she cares for Jo. I wonder does he know it, or is she deceiving him? I fear so, for he seems absurdly happy.”

He was still lost in the dreams of the lotus-eater when he heard something that resembled the rattling of his own noisy car. Looking down the hill road from town, he saw a vehicle approaching which he recognized as the ”town taxi.” It turned into the ranch grounds and he quickly went to the front of the house, supposing that Kingdon or his wife must have returned.

A strange young girl was alighting. As he went wonderingly to meet her, he saw that she was city-bred. She seemed to be dazed by the illimitable s.p.a.ces and was blinking from the suns.h.i.+ne. His observant eye noted the smart suitcase and the wardrobe trunk the man was depositing on the porch.

There was city shrewdness in having had the amount of the fare fixed before leaving town.

She was a little slip of a girl with a small-featured face and a certain pale prettiness. There was an appealing tinge of melancholy in her eyes notwithstanding they were eager and alert. Her dress was plain, but natty and citified.

”Is this Top Hill--where Mrs. Kingdon lives?” she asked in a low, softly-pitched voice.

”Yes;” he replied, ”but Mrs. Kingdon is away--”

”I know--but she wrote me to come here; that she would be home very soon.”

”I am glad to hear that. Come in,” he urged hospitably, as he picked up her suitcase. ”The housekeeper will make you comfortable.”

She hesitated.

”Is Miss Lamont in?”

”Miss Lamont--Miss Pen Lamont?” he asked in surprise. ”She is a friend of yours?”

”Yes,” she replied composedly.

”She has gone for a drive, but she will be back soon.”

She followed him within and stood gazing at the pleasant interior,--books, pictures, piano and fireplace, while he went to summon the housekeeper.

”Mrs. Merlin, this is a friend of Mrs. Kingdon's,” he said on his return.

”Will you show her to one of the guest rooms?”

”Oh!” exclaimed the girl in expostulary tone, ”I am _not_ a guest. My name is--Bobbie Burr. Mrs. Kingdon hired me to do plain sewing for the children and to care for the linen.”

There was no trace of a seamstress in the plain but elegant garb and appointments of the young girl, and Mrs. Merlin was at a loss as to the proper establishment of the newcomer.

”Maybe,” she said to Kurt hesitatingly, ”the room the last nursery governess had--”

”Any room will do,” said the girl hurriedly, as she followed Mrs. Merlin.

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