that I didn't come straight to you for comfort. And I always got it,
too."

"Even when you and Dorothy had that nasty little spat that began to look
serious until I just happened to find the note that made all the trouble,
and forced Eli Kosmer to confess he wrote it. You remember that time,
Jack?"

"I guess I do. Dorothy often speaks of it to this day; for we're good
friends, and always will be. But see here, why do you just happen to
mention that business? Oh! I begin to see now," added Jack, as Paul
turned red in the face, and laughed in a rather constrained way.

"I shouldn't wonder but what you did. I'm sure I've denied every other
cause you could think of," he said, sighing heavily.

"It's Arline then. She's been doing something. Yes, I remember now that
I saw her out riding with Ward Kenwood only yesterday. Say, that dude has
been saying something that wasn't true about you, Paul, I'd just wager
anything. He's gone and poisoned her ears with a yarn. It'd be just like
the sneak!"

"Just go slow, Jack. You're saying something that you can't prove. Of
course I believe myself that Ward wouldn't stop at anything like that;
but without the least proof I can't accuse him of it," Paul said,
severely.

"But you could ask Arline?" his friend went on.

"Could I? Well, when a girl chooses to turn me down without a hearing,