at her, failed to see a faint flush come to her cheek. He turned
to go, but she stood still, looking down into the gloomy,
darkening ravine below her. A bear's tracks had been found in that
ravine only the day before. "Air ye afeerd?" he asked tolerantly,
and she nodded mutely.

"I'll take ye down," he said with sudden gentleness.

The tall mountaineer was standing on the porch of the cabin, and
with assurance and dignity Jason strode ahead with a protecting
air to the gate.

"Whar you two been?" he called sharply.

"I went fishin'," said the boy unperturbed, "an' tuk Mavis with
me."

"You air gittin' a leetle too peart, boy. I don't want that gal a-
runnin' around in the woods all day."

Jason met his angry eyes with a new spirit.

"I reckon you hain't been hyeh long."

The shot went home and the mountaineer glared helpless for an
answer.

"Come on in hyeh an' git supper," he called harshly to the girl,
and as the boy went back up the spur, he could hear the scolding
going on below, with no answer from Mavis, and he made up his mind