The young woman's first impulse was to retreat to the safe seclusion of
her own room. But, even as she arose to her feet, she knew how that
would hurt the man who had always been so good to her; and so she went
generously down the walk to meet him where he would dismount and leave
his horse.
"Did you see father?" she asked, thinking as she spoke how little there
was for them to talk about.
"Why, no. What's the matter?" he returned quickly, pausing as if ready
to ride again at her word.
She laughed a little at his manner. "There is nothing the matter. He
just went over to see the Dean, that's all."
"I must have missed him crossing the meadow," returned Phil. "He always
goes around by the road."
Then, when he stood beside her, he added gently, "But there is something
the matter, Kitty. What is it? Lonesome for the bright lights?"
That was always Phil's way, she thought. He seemed always to know
instinctively her every mood and wish.
"Perhaps I was a little lonely," she admitted. "I am glad that you
came."
Then they were at the porch, and her ambitious brothers were telling
Phil in detail their all-absorbing designs against the peace of the
coyote tribe, and asking his advice.
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