"I wonder now if history has a habit of repeating itself,"
ventured Frank. "But what can I do but grin and bear it? Sooner or
later she'll find out the truth. I'll never ask for an explanation,
knowing that I've done nothing to make her act so. Now, forget it,
and let's talk about your affairs, Ralph."




CHAPTER III

THE STRANGE HISTORY OF RALPH


"If you don't mind, Frank, I'd like to go out of my way a few
steps, so as to stop at the post-office. There's a late mail comes
in after the last delivery by carrier," observed Ralph, after they
had reached town.

"Why, certainly," returned the other, quickly, as he glanced at
Ralph, who smiled half sadly and nodded.

"I keep hoping to hear something from your Uncle Jim. It may come
any day now, unless the very worst has happened, and they're all
lost over in that big wild country," said Ralph, drawing a long
breath.

"When did you hear from him last?" asked his friend, as they
turned the corner into the main street of Columbia.