A Court of Inquiry

fa' the w

winna let

es H

not take Dahlia long to discover that there were guests upon my porch. I think she recognized the Skeptic's long legs from her window, which looks down my way through a vista of tree-tops. At all events, on the morning after her arr

ood company, and likable from

t flies. Fishing, in its scientific aspect, presents many attractions to our Philosopher, although he spe

de a gesture as if he were about to turn up his coat collar. He hi

replied to the Philosopher. "And

r information, and gazed rather curiously at Dahlia as sh

f business communication in type, as I could not help seeing over his shoulder, but he withdrew his attention from i

ched hand in his own. Then he made as if to pass her on to me, but she wouldn't be passed until sh

rmur in reply. I thought his hand showe

almost-but not quite-better-looking than the Skeptic)-then she dropped down upon one of the porch cushions by his side. He politely offered her a chair, but she insisted that she liked the cushion better, and we found it impossible to doubt that she did. At all event

opportunity and rose. "Well," he observ

Her pretty face took on

regarded her u

excuse--

finish. "I simply love to g

r, blinking stupidly. "It is

d away. He is not used to it-at least,

o ask me?" she said, lookin

the Gay Lady. I observed the Skeptic. But the Philoso

y care to go. It's rather a long walk to the stream

the Skeptic a look from under her eyelashes, but he was looking at the Gay Lady and it failed to hit him. "Are you ready? Al

mirth. He slapped his knee. "I said he'd soon know," he chuckled, holding himself in with an ef

the Gay Lady. "Will you go fishin

he Gay Lady, smiling at her

ou go f

y was dire

ok my

sat up. "I'm going to go down and hide behind the big tree

Do you think I'm getting th

trolled away-not in the di

lso. I felt obliged to ask Dahlia to stay to luncheon and she promptly accepted. Throughout the meal she was very gay, sitting at my round table between the Philosoph

ng-room which has only two doors. One door leads into the hall, the other to the pantry. The rest of us went out the hall do

n to the barn and look after Skylark's foot. H

away down

ooked af

see the dear thing! And he's cut his foot!-I'm

ed away after

said the Gay Lady to me. Her expressive

if I hadn't a ne

at each other, but we

blinds on the side that looked off toward the barn, and, g

came back up the garden path at the pace of an escaping convict, and went tearing up the stairs to his room. I heard him splashing like a seal in his

rrayed in blue. She remained for an hour or so. When she went away the Skeptic walked home with her. He was

ght of inviting her to bring a trunk and occupy the white room. On the fourth night I accidentally overheard

ake her home to-

It was the

It's your turn

hanged if

d if I will. T

d there was. There

a man. It's up to you to-night.

that." The Philoso

anxiety during the next ten minutes, lest they come to blows in settling

go they both accompanied her. The transit occupied

as, the other was. The Gay Lady and I received less attention than we were accustome

n the tenth evening, "but I'm going away to-morrow. I'v

ent, in mock distress, but his satisfaction showed even behind his ears. The Skeptic bent down and elaborat

I shall have to let each of you take me for a farewell walk to-night. You first"-sh

ed away toward the river. Ther

r choice of a tree. 'The oak for me,' says the Englishman. 'The Scotch elm for mine,' says the Scotsman. 'Faith,' says the Irishman, 'I'

d at him, but my amazement did not produce him, and the Philosopher accompanied Dahlia home. When

ned experience. He's a veteran now. He'll never be such easy game again. Haven't we be

u have," said the

en't! W

o discuss it," she said, as gen

m sorry," he declared.

id the Gay Lady. "Isn't it

the Skeptic, looking up at her. "It

k her he

han here," s

the lawn the Skeptic jumped up and rushed forward and

aid the Philos

oined the Skeptic. "I fear

that I'm not," grun

on the porch step

y Lady

y," said she in her musical

er retreating figure even after it ceased to b

ion of that sort of thing always makes the other kind draw o

t, and went away to let th

to Co