The Lucky Piece

the foot of McIntyre. With July, guests multiplied, and for those whose duty it was to provide entertainment the problem became definite and practical. Edith Morriso

there would seem to be little tim

r furnishings from New York, and through the united efforts of some half dozen mountain carpenters, urged in their deliberate labors by the owner, Israel Deane,

wonderful forest reawakened old dreams and hopes and fancies which he had put away for the immediate and gayer things of life, hardly more substantial and far less real. To him this was a veritable magic

e sure that he loved Constance. He was certain that he had never cared so much for anything in the world before, and that if there was a real need he would make any sacrifice at her command. Only he did not quite comprehend why she was not willing to put by all stress and effort

of some especial delicacy of the woods which, out of consideration for her mother's nervous views on the subject, was brought to the Lodge for preparation. Edith Morrison generally superintended in person this particular cookery, Constance often assisting-or "hindering," as she called it-and in this way the two had become much better acquainted. Of late Edith had well-nigh banished-indeed, she h

had said. "Some day we may be in New York, you a

ing all her uneasi

another. She comes quite often with Mr. Weatherby, but then I have the househ

a little be

h and rather spoiled, you know. Perhaps he has become indi

plied confidential relations with one of the two principals. Robin's knowl

ys after she came-when you were with her a good deal-I almost imagined-of course, I was very foolish-but she is so beautiful and-superior, like you-and somehow you seemed different toward her, too-I imagined, just a lit

ought that he was laughing-she did not quite see why-but he held her close. S

she was a little girl. But I shall never care for her any

a, where from time to time she gave out vague hints that things in general were not what they seemed, thereby fostering a discomfort of the future. For the most part, however, her pessimistic views found little acceptance, especially as they concerned the affairs of Mr. Weatherby and Miss Deane. Miss Carroway, who for some reason-perhaps because of the nephew whose youthful steps she had guided from the cradle to

a girl in love unless-she lowered her voice so that the others had to lean forward that no syllable might escape-unless it was with some other man. For her part, she thought Miss Deane had seemed happier the first few days, before Mr. Weatherby came, going about with

nough "so far as looks were concerned." As usual they carried the book and basket, and waved them in greeting as they drew near. Constance lifted the moss and ferns as she passed Miss Carroway to display, as she said, the inviting contents, which the old lady regarded with evident disapproval, thoug

pretty she looks," she said gayly

became still rosier and started to

-ourselves," she said. "Of course, Miss Carroway, you need not feel that you are

life by not samplin' everything that came along, but mebbe I've lived just as lo

told them. He had brought a party through India

ance

r camp. Robin came over to call on us. He often ru

so when he passed that way-a fact which Robin himself had not thought it necessary to mention-and then the familiar use of his name-almost caressing, it had sounded to her-brought back with a rush that heavy and hopeless feeling about her heart. She wanted to be wise and sensible and generous, but she could not help catching the veranda rail a bit tighter, wh

Intyre, which he had at first taken for a very beautiful and peculiar flower. Later he had decided it might be of special interest to her. It had a flower shape, he said, and was pink in color, but was like wax, resembling somewhat the Indian pipe, but with mo

ible discovery of importance. She made him repeat the details as nearly as he could recollect, and w

ld find the place,

the tripod at the peak," and he dre

rail is not difficult to k

into a fog. It's harder then. I lost the t

ho was lounging comfortably

it this aftern

yes to where Algonquin lay

besides, it will be rather late

seemed a

e company at large, "this young man hasn't offered to climb a mountain, or to go trouting, once since he's been here. I don't be

old of a hill near Haverford which she used to cl

here when I was a boy," he said. "

ns taller-poor,

bill of fare we have been enjoying these days, I don't like to get too far from Mrs. Deane's m

umed a lofty a

mountain I shall engage Mr. Robin Farnham to accompany me.

tle and hesitated. Edith, still lingering, hol

and there was a queer inflection i

suddenly arisen

ou, of course. I did not think-I can climb McIntyre any time. Besides, Mr.

needed within. Constance followed her, presently, while Frank, lingering on the steps, asked Robin a few questions concerning his trip through the Pass. Of the rocking-chair circle, perhaps only the small woman in black found comfort in what had just taken place. A silence had fallen upon the little company, and it