“There is one word more I would like to say, but—not now—I should possibly be misunderstood. Perhaps the day may come—May I say in the meantime that I am not one who changes or is easily disheartened? I know that even if I should secure your consent I should have to make the fight of my life to win your daughter—but I should do it. I think the prize well worth all, and far more than all I could give.” He stood diffidently, as though not knowing whether Major Welch would take his hand if offered. The Major, however, made the advance and the two men shook hands ceremoniously and Steve mounted his horse and without looking back rode off, while Major Welch returned slowly to the house. The only glance Steve gave was one up toward the old cherry-tree in the yard. Mrs. Welch had seen Steve ride up and had watched with curiosity and some anxiety the conference that had taken place at the gate. When the Major stated to her the object of Mr. Allen’s visit she was too much surprised to speak. She, however, received the announcement somewhat differently from the way the Major had expected. She was deeply offended. Without an instant’s hesitation she was for despatching an immediate and indignant refusal. “Of course, you at once refused him and told him what you thought of his effrontery?” she said. “Well—no, I did not,” said Major Welch. In fact, though the Major had been astonished by Steve’s proposal and had supposed that it would be rejected, it had not occurred to him that his wife would take it in just this way. “You did not! Oh, you men! I wish he had spoken to me! It was an opportunity I should not have lost. But he would not have dared to face me with his insulting proposal.” “Well, I don’t think he intended it as an insult, and without intention it cannot be an insult. I think if you had seen him you would have felt this.” “Do you think I would entrust my daughter’s happiness to a desperado and a midnight assassin?” “No, I cannot say that I thought you would—nor would I. But I am not prepared to say I think him either an assassin or a desperado.” “Well, I am,” asserted Mrs. Welch. “I was deceived in him once and I will not give him a chance again.” “I simply told him that I would confer with you and give him our answer.” “He will take that as encouragement,” declared Mrs. Welch, “and will be pursuing Ruth and persecuting her.” “No, he will not. He gave me his word that he would not speak to her without my—without our consent——” “He will not keep it.” Mrs. Welch’s words were not as positive as her manner. “Yes, he will. I will stand sponsor.” Major Welch was thinking of the young man as he had just stood before him. “Well, I am glad you extracted that much of a pledge from him. He will not get my consent in this life, I can assure him.” “Nor mine without yours and Ruth’s,” said Major Welch, gravely. “I will write him and tell him what you say. Shall I mention it to Ruth? “ “No, of course not.”