Some time had passed when he walked quietly into the house.  Nellie Townshead rose as he entered and stood looking at him very white in face.

“I wonder if you will believe what I have to tell you, Miss Townshead,” he commenced, and stopped when the rancher turned towards him,

“My daughter has, I think, been taught that it is unwise to place much confidence in any one,” he said.

Alton glanced at the girl, and stood silent a moment when she made a little gesture of agreement.  “I am afraid appearances are against me,” he said.

“Yes,” said the girl.  “So are the facts.”

“Well,” said Alton grimly, “the latter are of the most importance, but I think you should hear me.”

“There is,” said Miss Townshead, “no reason why I should.  You made me a promise—­why I do not know, any more than I do why I allowed you—­but I was very anxious just then.  No doubt you spoke on impulse, and afterwards regretted it.”

“My daughter was a trifle injudicious,” said Townshead.

Alton made a last endeavour.  “I know what you must think of me, and it hurts,” he said.  “Still, that is a little thing.”

The girl checked him by a gesture, and the man stopped with his meaning unexpressed.  “You have made as much evident,” she said.

Alton turned towards her father.  “I’m afraid the suggestion I wished to make would be out of place just now,” he said.  “Still, I had ridden over in the hope that you and Miss Townshead would stay with us at Somasco while you decided on your next step.”

“We have to thank you for your offer, but your surmise is correct,” said Townshead.

Alton said nothing further, but went out into the clearing and stood apart from the rest while the auctioneer disposed of the household effects, until a little cabinet was offered, when he moved up to the table and bid savagely.  Hallam for some reason bid against him, and only stopped when he had quadrupled its value.  Alton flung down a roll of dollar bills and then turned to a man close by.  “Will you take that in to Miss Townshead, and not tell her who bought it?” he said.  “It was her mother’s, and I believe she values it.”

“I’ll do my best,” said the other man dryly.  “Still, I’m not good at fixing up a story, and Miss Nellie’s not a fool.”

“Well,” said Alton simply, “there’s another thing.  Where is Townshead going?”

The rancher smiled a little.  “He’s coming home with me.  Susie’s driving over with the wagon.”

Alton nodded.  “Now you needn’t be touchy, but we’ve fruit and things at Somasco you haven’t got,” said he.  “Well, I want you to come round with the wagon.”

The rancher straightened himself a trifle.  “My place isn’t Somasco, but it will be a mean day when I can’t feed my friends,” said he.

Alton laughed softly.  “I don’t care ten cents about your feelings, Jack,” he said.  “The girl and the old man might like the things, and there’s no reason they should know where you got them.”