day's achievement, he was overtaken by a smart drag and a pair of swift roa

rfectly cool, even a little defiant. It would certainly have been better had Isla held her tongue, but he was

Kitty, however, who s

you, Malcolm, so don't think it. We only

ht," he answered. "We

," said Drummond so shortly that Ki

fter all, nothing had been proved against him. And, anyhow, i

re you. Wait a moment, and

firmly. "Get up, Mackinnon. The brutes

easily after a good meal as before it. He swung himself to the back seat and settled himself so th

late," said Kitty airily. "He has been such a bear to-day that I am f

lm la

or less," he answered gaily. "Don't let it put you down on your luck

were generally a man's best friends and would champion him, often against their better judgment. It was a favourite jest wit

d it is to his credit that he had kept the fact of Malcolm's dismissal from t

om he loved with a dog-like fidelity that was capable of

Neil as a man of the world might despise and belittle a boy who had seen nothing of life. Neil, on his part, had the heartiest contempt

p thinking that Isla was in too big a hurry to rush the Americans in. They

Malcolm. "I've been to lunch with them to-day,

s grow under your feet. And what do you think of them? I really t

with such folks. If they must swarm into Scotland, the

hispered Malcolm with hi

aughed

y of asking Neil what had made him so d

d. His manner to his father is beautiful, I thin

nd in his grumpiest tones. "You do

she aske

ckinnon. I wonder how he can bear to loaf abo

and he has had a hard year of skirmish

" said Neil, biting his lip and conscious that

ttle drawing-room and had left them still there when they went away. The whole afternoon had been a disappointment, and when

ntion in the Glen and that very soon there would be two factions--one

as the least conc

ke, he went out early and stayed out late, and

re than ever reluctant to let her out of his sight. These were rather trying days for Isla, because her fathe

he newspapers, Isla began to cherish the hope that they had heard the last of it. Of course Malcolm might have intercepted any that had been sent, but if he had done so he did not tell her. They

eenly disappointed that Rosmead, after all his considerate kindness at the beginning, had never made the smallest effort to see her again. She would not go to Achree unless she was s

len and the little village, the daily intercourse with her own folk, the give and take of a social life which, if limited, was at least very sincere. Achree and Creagh were evidently two different places in t

little late, she found by the watch-bracelet on her arm, and wondered as she glanced down the long white

octor from Comrie there, had stopped a little to talk with him. She had assured him that he need not call at Creagh, unless indeed h

She thought at first that it must be Neil Drummond, who was the only horseman that ever came to Creagh. But a nearer glance assured her

e as that of Rosmead. This surprised her very much. Somehow, she had never imagined that an Ameri

She admired the ease with which he sat, proving thereby that he was no novice on a horse's back. He looked unc

ook off his hat and kept it under his

in, Miss Mackinnon. I am here to-day on my m

nd her smile was br

ect accounted for the little glow at her heart which had be

think that she has been a month in Achree and that you have

understand, my brother has paid many calls at Achree I did not think it necessary that

d that," he

p of any kind. But I will come one day very soon and make my apologies. I hop

't see that we shall ever get her out of it again," he answered w

he could have said--the dearest. Yet Hylton Rosmead had seen many

ittle wistfully. "And your si

think, to be desired in the way of winsomeness. I myself feel as if I bel

kind glance. "I feel very glad to kn

I must confess, on my own account to tell you

and her face un

derstand that his news had disappointed her. Neither was he vain enough to imagine th

oing?" she asked

e to this country is accomplished, and I rea

ned that you were going to settle in Scotland, though o

one day. But, in the meantime, I must not forget that I am a partner in

t re

"I came over to meet the engineers and the contractors who have to do with your splendid bridges here, and in the fall

hird time. "And you

in the year--probably to spend Chr

xtend the term of your tenancy of Achree? D

y mother will not be easily ousted from Achree. She is of Scottish parentage, you know. Her mother was a Farquha

imself pleasant or agreeable at Achree; but, somehow, disaster seemed to associate itself with his name. She feared to pursue the sub

and practically it is arranged that we

at with Malcolm!" she

s commission on account of his father's health but that he intends and hopes to get

ime, felt a natural thrill of indignatio

uch kindness," she said quickly. "Yo

r youngest sister, lately made a widow. She is looking after all the servants, and we have not

id Isla in tones of deep interest, w

the war changed all that, but the place remains the same. I should like you

you should be so wi

and was--and was--not very happy. But there--I have all this time been talking about myself, and not at a

p there, and he is able to potter about just as he likes. You will come in and see him? Even his mind is much stronger. Cer

But before we go in will you promise to go sometimes to see my mo

Mr. Rosmead. But when

rpool on Saturday afternoon, and I have

she meant what she said. "Do you mind walking round with me to the stable and putting your horse in? The accommod

e of the hardest-headed men of his time, was so moved by this woman, whom he had seen so few times, that he could ha

hom he had met in New York society and who were ready to make much of the "Bridge-builder," as they called him--and to pour the incense of their flattery upon him. But the atmosphere had alwa

while he tied up his horse, and then walked back with him, pointing out the beauty of the

s ever come. I suppose you saw noth

he most punctual person I have ever heard tell of. I hav

crossing the narrow hall, opened the door of the dining

er was not in his accustomed chair, but lay on the hearthrug, where he had