He glanced aside at her in surprise, all remembrance that they were comparatively strangers having deserted his mind. It seemed as if he had already known her for years. "Most certainly question; I had no thought of any concealment." She smiled at the confusedness of his words, yet her own speech was not entirely devoid of embarrassment. "It does appear almost ridiculous, but really I do not even know your name." "It is Ned Winston." "Not so bad a name, is it? Do you mind telling me where your home is?" "I can scarcely lay claim to such a spot, but my people live in Denver." She drew a quick, surprised breath, her eyes instantly falling, as though she would thus conceal some half-revealed secret. For a moment her parted lips trembled to a question she hesitated asking. "I--I believe I have heard of a Colonel Daniel Winston in Denver, a banker," she said finally. "I--I have seen his house." "He is my father." Her shadowing lashes suddenly uplifted, the color once again flooding the clear cheeks. "You are, indeed, becoming a man of mystery," she exclaimed, affecting lightness of utterance. "The son of Colonel Winston acting as utility for a troupe of strollers! I can hardly believe it true." Winston laughed. "It does seem a trifle out of proportion," he confessed, "and I can hardly hope to make the situation entirely clear. Yet I am not quite so unworthy my birthright as would appear upon the surface. I will trust you with a portion of the story, at least, Miss Norvell. I am by profession a mining engineer, and was sent out, perhaps a month ago, by a syndicate of Denver capitalists to examine thoroughly into some promising claims at Shell Rock. I made the examination, completed and mailed my report, and finally, on the same day your company arrived there, I discovered myself in Rockton with nothing to do and several weeks of idleness on my hands. I had intended returning to Denver, but a sudden temptation seized me to try the experiment of a week or two in wandering theatrical life. I had always experienced a boyish hankering that way, and have a natural inclination to seek new experiences. Albrecht was favorably impressed with my application, and hence I easily attained to my present exalted position upon the stage." "And is that all?" "Not entirely; there yet remains a chapter to be added to my confessions. I acknowledge I should have long since tired of the life and its hardships, had you not chanced to be a member of the same troupe." "I, Mr. Winston? Why, we have scarcely spoken to each other until to-day."