"Judith takes all this very seriously," said
Leroy, laughingly. "I suppose she would
take even Paris seriously."

His wife smiled over at him. "Leroy
says I am melancholy," she said, softly;
"but I am always telling him that I am
happy. He thinks I am melancholy be-
cause I do not laugh. I got out of the way
of it by being so much alone. You only
laugh to let some one else know you are
pleased. When you are alone there is no
use in laughing. It would be like explain-
ing something to yourself."

"You are a philosopher, Judith. Mr.
Max Müller would like to know you."

"Is he a friend of yours, dear?"

Leroy blushed, and I saw Jessica curl
her lip as she noticed the blush. She laid
her hand on Mrs. Brainard's arm.

"Have you always been very much
alone?" she inquired.

"I was born on the ranch, you know;
and father was not fond of leaving it. In-
deed, now he says he will never again go