He went out to the corral just now as merry as a lark." Phil laughed.

"Anybody would be glad to get through with that rodeo, mother; besides, he is going to town to-morrow." "He is?
Well, you mark my words, son, there's somethin' up to make him feel as good as he does." And then, when Phil had gone on out into the yard, Professor Parkhill found him.
"Mr.Acton," began the guest timidly, "there is a little matter about which I feel I should speak to you." "Very well, sir," returned the cowboy.
"I feel that it would be better for me to speak to you rather than to Mr.Baldwin, because, well, you are younger, and will, I am sure, understand more readily." "All right; what is it, Professor ?" asked Phil encouragingly, wondering at the man's manner.
"Do you mind--ah--walking a little way down the road ?" As they strolled out toward the gate to the meadow road, the professor continued: "I think I should tell you about your man Patches." Phil looked at his companion sharply.

"Well, what about him ?" "I trust you will not misunderstand my interest, Mr.Acton, when I say that it also includes Miss Reid." Phil stopped short.

Instantly Mrs.Baldwin's remark about Patches' happiness, his own confession that he had given up all hope of winning Kitty, and the thought of the friendship which he had seen developing during the past months, with the realization that Patches belonged to that world to which Kitty aspired--all swept through his mind.

He was looking at the man beside him so intently that the professor said again uneasily: "I trust, Mr.Acton, that you will understand." Phil laughed shortly.