n had hardly spoken. Every time she looked in his direction, Ruth found his eyes upon her, and something in his manner said as plainly as words could have told it, that he was only waiting to

clock struck ten and s

d in no hurry to relieve his mind. Instead he walked at Ruth's side apparently absorbed in thought. Ruth, waiting, half amused a

uddenly roused himself. "May I c

. It's Friday. No

an air of summoning his resolution. As Ruth turned on the lights in the living room, h

s folded so that her eye fell at once on the signature. "Why," she excla

ow from Oklaho

. One would have said that the letter annoyed her, though when at length she lifted her eyes and met

n one way, it's quite an unusual chance. You se

I can't imagine you as a cowboy. I suppose," she added excusingly, "that he's always been used to

ather dr

aright, or else that he was joking. And yet his voice had no suggestion of humor. It was hoarse

re you talking about? You can't m

th had spoken in a rather peremptory fashion, and at once

think I lik

o! Why,

see how any fellow who was in the service can ever ge

r. She looked at the letter lying upon the table with

offer? You wouldn't really like to go to Oklah

r. "I wanted to know what

to your mother." Ruth herself had not thought of Mrs. Hallowell until that instant, and she made up for he

recalling something that had pleased him particularly.

hing in his reminiscent sm

omesickness. But of course, if you've really set your heart on going thousands o

ewildered at her injustice. "I haven't answered the le

I suppose you are a little restless after

ptly forgave him for having given favorable consideration to the offer of his fri

kily for Ruth's peace of mind Peggy was yet to be heard from. The

ew anybody to be so quiet. I was afraid that perhaps something

on in full. Her life-long habit of confiding in Peggy proved more than a match for her undefined hesitation, and she went on to tell

want to

ce he's been sort of restless. He got so used to outdoor life that

ing straight at her friend, "that you feel

gling to the roots of her hair, she turne

hat on earth are

like Nelson Hallowell; like him very much. I consider him one of my v

Ruth came to a halt, "you'd

lly think he's one of the nicest boys I ever knew, and for all he's

ir to interfere with Nelson's future, just because you like to have him dropping in every

by her friend's indignation, continued judicially, "If you were going to marry Nelson, you would have a perfect right to help decide where he should be located.

tly as he pleases. He asked my advice and I gave it

s to please you more than anything in the world. And besides, when a friend asks you your a

s long as Nelson is satisfied with my advice, I c

he had said more to Ruth than she would have been justified in saying to another gi

into tears. "Oh, don't, Peggy," she sobbed. "Don't a

I'm too much inclined to think

me as sisters. And it would kill m

'm likely to remain Meddlesome Peggy to the end of the chapter, as fa

he continued to sob. "Do you think I o

unless you have a good reason. And though I don't know much about such

hance to say much." Ruth dropped her head upon Peggy's s

er tenderly. "I'd nearly cry my eyes ou

gave it up just as soon as he saw I didn't like t

oulders while Ruth prattled on. "I'm awfully selfish, I know. It's

d that, Ruth

if he's answered that letter ye

re. As the hour was early, Nelson himself answered the call. His politely interrogati

hy, good

red that letter

ever mind that letter. We w

ot to answer it till we'd t

se of that. I wanted to see how you reall

t away. That's all. Are you

ur

en sighed as she hung up the receiver. "Well, it's all right," she to

oma proposition, and roused Ruth's indignation by hinting that the matter did not concern Peggy Raymond, and he could not see any reas

awfully hard explaining, Ruth, when I haven't any right to-to say how I feel-bu

ssible luxury. Nelson regarded Ruth as the bright particular star of the Friendly Terrace quartette. He considered her prettier than Peggy, wittier than Amy, and more talented than Priscilla. For him to aspire to be the first in her heart was the height o

e to the occasion. She held her head very high, and her eyes were like stars. Nelson suddenly experienced a difficulty in breathing. His

you, Ruth, going out to that roug

appeal went straight to Ruth's heart. She answered unhesitatingly. "The place

he easy chair, and proceeded to discuss a variety of subjects. Once or twice Nelson's answers suggested that his mind was wandering, and small wonder. For w