he cared to honor with his favor; but with a "Get thee behind me, Satan"
desire, he had put the question from him. He could have taken his oath on
Ruth's heart-wholeness, yet now, as he recognized her companion, his
misgivings returned threefold. The courteous gentleman, however, was at
his ease as they came up.

"This is a surprise, Doctor," he exclaimed cordially, opening the gate and
extending his hand. "Who would have thought of meeting you here?"

Kemp grasped his hand heartily.

"I am a sort of surprise-party," he answered, swinging Ethel to the ground
and watching her scamper off to the hotel; "and what is more," he
continued, turning to him, "I have not brought a hamper, which makes one of
me."

"You calculate without your host," responded Levice; "this is a veritable
land of milk and honey. Come up and listen to my wife rhapsodize."

"How is she?" he asked, turning with him and catching a glimpse of Ruth's
vanishing figure.

"Feeling quite well," replied Levice; "she is all impatience now for a
delirious winter season."

"I thought so," laughed the doctor; "but if you take my advice, you will
draw the bit slightly."

Mrs. Levice was delighted to see him; she said it was like the sight of a
cable-car in a desert. He protested at such a stupendous comparison, and