"He does not correspond with me." "Then I suppose you don't know where he is ?" "I heard that he had left a small settlement on the Western prairie and started for the North." He gave her a sharp glance.

"Are you interested in my nephew ?" "Yes," she said frankly.

"I don't know him very well, but on two occasions he came to my assistance when I needed it.

He was very tactful and considerate." "Then he's fortunate in gaining your good opinion.

No doubt, you know something about his history ?" "I dare say my good opinion is not worth much, but I feel that he deserves it, in spite of what I've been told about him," she answered with a blush.