Ranching for Sylvia

h sprays of tender leaves; purple clematis hung from a trellis; and lichens tinted the low terrace wall with subdued coloring. The grass was flanked by tall beech

, all so fresh and cool: a picture that

g trip and come back when he wished, but quite another to settle down on the prairie where he must remain until his work should be done. Moreover, for Mrs. Lansing had many friends, the figures scattered about the lawn-young men and women in light summer attire-enhanced the attractiveness of the surroundings. They were nice peop

errace wall side by side. She was a good-natured, simple w

few days," she began. "He works too hard, and it'

her husband's health. It had struck him that Herbert was getting sto

ll do him go

was often disconnected, and

to Canada. As you're fond of t

George assented

having you to look after things"-Mrs. Lansing paused bef

, and sometimes attempted to assist in one,

hat else I cou

for speaking plainly, but what I meant was t

ge retorted. "But I do

looked at him

. You're a little too confiding and too backward, Geo

eply. He was angry, but Mrs. L

t home," she went on. "

a's property b

looked at him directly.

suggested that he should turn the fact to his advantage. The idea that sh

is not to be b

s smile was h

bent on going, there'

ourse, will

om the soldier stamp was plainly set. George followed her gaze and frowned, but he said nothing, and his companion presently moved away. Soon afterward he crossed the lawn and joined a girl who wait

Canada. What is taking yo

fter some farming pro

ded him wit

rston's, I

e answered r

other purpose y

e hes

e I have ano

rather an exceptional

wasn't aware of i

l la

ing else. Has Herbert told you anything about his business since you

bservant, and Herbert

orchard-house has some significance. I understand from Stephen that

ly that Herbert will come to grief. He has a very long

t Herbert isn't the only one of your acqua

ceful, and she had now a subdued, pensive air that rendered her appearance slightly pathetic. Ethel

at anybody will tr

"but I mustn't appear too cynical, and I've a f

her, a lad of somewhat erratic habits and ideas, w

he said; for Stephen, the lawyer, was an elder

ile; but Edgar will be over to see you during the afte

g Charlton and he wer

inion, Stephen is too fond of making mountains out of molehills; but I must own that Edgar's molehills have a way of increasing in size, and the last one caused us a good deal of un

eorge promised; and after a wo

. Lansing, who was sitting al

to take Edgar out," she said. "He has some reason for wishing to

, I'm not referring to Edgar-his las

hed Ethel. "Stephen do

ten thought it's a pity George didn

y that descript

d. "She can do what nobody else would ventu

icular exploit of

ccepted Dick Marston. I belie

tible," said Ethel, strolling away a few

Sylvia had never been concealed, and Ethel had acquiesced in the situation, though she retained a strong interest in him. She believed that in going to Canada he was doing an injudicious thing; but as his confidence was hard to shake, he could not be warned

ark-haired lad, with a mischievous expression, and he sometimes owned that his capacity for seeing the humorous side of things was a gift th

ter asked, pretending to be a bit stern,

My washes have not been consulted. I must give my relatives the cre

od deal of patience," George said

calls formulae gets monotonous, and it's a diet they're rather fond of at Oxford. Down here in the country they're almost as bad; and

e objectionable i

r noticed how vindictive narrow-minded peop

mber ever hav

ble; only some people claim that they make the attack f

uch time for such proceedings if you come

your affairs while you are away? If you haven't, you might do worse than leave them to Stephen. He's steady and saf

by. He's the obvious person t

ance. "No doubt he'd feel hurt if you asked anyb

e of the others came up and joined t

bounds of the empire, strengthen the ties with the mother country, and that sort of thing. It'

t about the work

e the satisfaction of driving them twelve hours a day. It happen

followed him as h

ing Herbert invited Ge

it will save you a journey," he explained. "We ma

ctions. A faint draught flowed in through an open window, and gently stirred the litter of papers; a shaded lamp stood on the table, and its

ritation what Ethel said during the afternoon. It was not very lucid, but he had an idea that she meant to warn him; and Edgar had gone some length in urging that he should leave the care of his property to another man. This was curio

indicating a paper. Then he added, with a smile: "Yo

r turned

e of your possessions as he thinks fit. In accordance wit

a long while, and had served his father. Again, for a moment, George had an uneasy feeling that

rs in Herbert's hands on other occasions, wi

e laid down the pen, Herbert drew back out of the strong light.