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."