"My dear, Sam would not listen to it. I think nervousness and a gloriously fresh morning urged him to an early walk, and his return has been delayed by meeting some friends." "Quite likely," responded Rutley. "If Sam continues to worry, I shall advise a trip to Texas. The bracing air of that latitude has heretofore proven very beneficial to his constitution." "A happy idea, Mr. Harris," and the grave, concerned look that had settled on Rutley's face relaxed and vanished in a smile of cunning satisfaction, as he thought how agreeable it would be to have that troublesome fellow out of the way. "I have crossed that country and can testify to the purity, dryness and health invigorating quality of its air. Indeed, I do not think you could suggest a more wholesome vacation than a month of rollicking, free life on the Texas plains." "A trip to Texas may all be very well in its way, but I know something of the dear boy's malady and believe that no climatic change, temporary or prolonged, can be of the least benefit to him," impressively broke in Mrs. Harris. "Well, well! Now I do remember that when a boy Sam fell and severely hurt his left knee; and so the old complaint is asserting itself again, eh? You see, Your Lordship"---- "Dear me! How stupid men are!" interrupted Mrs. Harris, with much dignity. "Ah! James, the dear boy's affliction is of deeper moment. It lacerates the very source and fountain of life. It is, I may add, an affair of the heart." "Oh! You don't tell Sam is--is--ahem, ahem!"--and to suppress a smile Mr. Harris coughed. "It is possible you misconceive your most estimable lady's meaning," suggested Rutley, with a smile. "Perhaps it is a case of heart failure." "Nonsense!" "James!" quickly retorted Mrs. Harris, with asperity. Mr. Harris looked meaningly at her, then turned to Rutley. "I beg Your Lordship's pardon. I did not mean to ridicule your suggestion. At the time I used the word 'nonsense' I was thinking of the fact, the one of love," replied Mr. Harris. "James! I never thought when I plighted my love to you it was nonsense!" and Mrs. Harris brushed a handkerchief across her eyes. "There, there, dear heart!" and Mr. Harris stepped to her side, tenderly turned her face upward and kissed her lips. "That day was the happiest of my life, though I have been happy ever since." "Heart of gold!" exclaimed Mrs. Harris, smiling through her tears. "And I have never wished I had turned from that altar of our happy union." "I perceive the cause of Sam's worry now, dear," and the irrepressible Mr. Harris turned to Rutley, "You see, My Lord, it is this way, a lovely young lady guest--since Mr. Corway's strange disappearance--is an inadvertent companion of our Sam, and his troubles were brought on by the sly darts of a little fellow with wings." "Wrong again!" asserted Mrs. Harris. "James, let me assure you in all candor that Hazel Brooke is not the lady our Sam is worrying about, as the fair democrat can testify."