She looked as harmless and innocent as basket of peaches as she said it, and never the suspicion of smile deepened the dimple cheek toward him The smile was glowing cheerfully away inside, though feel it, if he it, and he laughed aloud

"Your crowd rather got the better of us there," he admitted keen appreciation of one still quite close to college days

" , the mater is furious, but I rather look as lark "

She thawed like an April icicle

"It's perfectly jolly," she laughed "Awfully selfish of us, too, , but such loads of fun "

They were close Tutt House now, and her limp, that had entirely disappeared emerged woods, now became quite perceptible people looking windows, though hard why that should affect limp

Ralph was delighted that thaw had set in, and one more attempt to establish proxy acquaintance

"You don't happen Peyson Kingsley, of Philadelphia, ? "

"I'm afraid I don't," she replied " so few Philadelphia people, " She was rather regretful He really was clever sort of fellow, smile

The center window second floor Tutt House swung open, its little squares of glass flashing jubilantly sunlight Mrs Ellsworth leaned out over the sill, quaint old sitting-room Van Kamp apartments !

"Oh, Ralph ! " she called in her most dulcet tones "Kindly excuse yourself and come right on our suite for ! "

VI

nearly so easy practical joke perpetrate one Evelyn was sitting thoughtfully porch when her father and mother returned Mrs Ellsworth was sitting center window above, placidly looking out Her eyes swept carelessly over the Van Kamps, and unconcernedly passed on rest landscape

Mrs Van Kamp gasped and clutched the arm of her husband no need He, too, had seen the apparition Evelyn now, first time, saw the real humor situation She smiled as she thought of Ralph She owed him one, but she never worried about her debts She always managed them paid, principal and interest

Mr Van Kamp suddenly glowered and strode Tutt House Uncle Billy met him door, reflectively chewing straw, and handed him an envelope Mr Van Kamp tore it open and drew out note Three five-dollar bills came out with it and fluttered porch floor This missive confronted him:

MR J BELMONT VAN KAMP,

: to notify you that rented the entire Tutt House ensuing week, and am compelled to assume possession three second-floor front rooms Herewith enclosing the fifteen dollars you paid to secure the suite quite welcome use, as my guest, small room over the kitchen your luggage room Regretting any inconvenience transaction may cause you, ,

Yours respectfully, EDWARD EASTMAN ELLSWORTH

Mr Van Kamp passed the note wife and sat down or large chair glad chair was comfortable and roomy Evelyn picked up the bills and tucked them into her waist She never overlooked any of her perquisites Mrs Van Kamp read the note, tip of her nose became white She also sat down, but she first her voice

"Atrocious ! " she exclaimed "Atrocious ! Simply atrocious, Belmont house of public entertainment 't turn us out high-minded manner ! Isn't there law or something effect ? "

"It wouldn't matter if ," he thoughtfully replied "This fellow Ellsworth too clever caught say house was not hotel but private residence during the period he has rented it "

Personally, he rather admired Ellsworth Seemed resourceful sort of chap who knew how money behave itself, and do its little tricks without balking harness

"Then him take down the sign ! " his wife declared

He shook his head decidedly

"It wouldn't do, Belle," he replied "It spite, not retaliation, and not at all sportsmanlike The course you suggest would belittle us more than it would annoy them some other way "

He went in with Uncle Billy

" this place," he stated " for sale ? "

"It sartin is ! " replied Uncle Billy merely twinkle He grinned

" ? "

"Three thousand dollars " Mr Tutt was used to charging , and he betrayed no hesitation

"I'll write you out check at once," and Mr Van Kamp reached pocket reflection spot, after all, was an ideal one for quiet summer retreat

"Air you a-goin' t' scribble that there three thou-san' on piece o' paper ? " inquired Uncle Billy, sitting bolt upright "Ef you air a-figgerin' , Mr Kamp, jis' you save yore time man four dollars fer one o' them check things oncet, an' I owe myself them four dollars yit "

Mr Van Kamp retired in disorder, but the thought wife and daughter waiting confidently porch stopped him Moreover, the thing had resolved itself rather into contest between Ellsworth and himself, and he had done little making and breaking of men and things own time some gatling-gun thinking out newel-post, and presently rejoined Uncle Billy

" Mr Tutt, tell me just exactly what Mr Ellsworth rented, please," he requested

"Th' hull house," replied Billy, and then he somewhat sternly added: "Paid me spot cash fer it, too "

Mr Van Kamp took wad of loose bills trousers pocket, straightened them out leisurely, and placed them bill book, along with some smooth yellowbacks of eye-bulging denominations Uncle Billy sat up and stopped twiddling his thumbs

"Nothing was said furniture, was there ? " suavely inquired Van Kamp

Uncle Billy leaned blankly back chair Little by little the light dawned ex-horse-trader The crow's feet reappeared about his eyes, his mouth twitched, he smiled, he grinned, then he slapped his thigh and haw-hawed

"No ! " roared Uncle Billy "No, there wasn't, by gum ! "

"Nothing but the house ? "

"His very own words ! " chuckled Uncle Billy "'Jis' th' mere house,' says he, an' he gits it bargain's bargain, an' I allus stick to one I make "

" furniture week ? "

"Fifty dollars ! " Mr Tutt knew how business kind of people now, you bet

Mr Van Kamp promptly counted out the money

"Drat it ! " commented Uncle Billy to himself " 'a' got more ! "

"Now where can ourselves comfortable furniture ? "

Uncle Billy chirked up All was not yet lost

"Waal," he reflectively drawled, "there's th' new barn It hain't been used for nothin' yit, senct I built it two I jis' hadn't th' heart t' put th' critters as long as th' ole one stood up "

The other smiled flashlight on Uncle Billy's character, went out to look barn

VII

Uncle Billy came back "Tutt House Annex," as Mr Van Kamp dubbed the barn, with enough more money him love all the world until he got used to having it Uncle Billy belongs to large family

Mr Van Kamp joined the women porch, and explained the attractively novel situation They were chatting gaily Ellsworths came down the stairs Mr Ellsworth paused for moment to exchange word with Uncle Billy

" Mr Tutt," said he, laughing, " go for bit of exercise guarantee us the possession rooms when we come back ? "

"Yes sir-ree ! " Uncle Billy assured him "They shan't nobody take them rooms away fer money, marbles, ner chalk bargain's bargain, an' I allus stick to one I make," and he virtuously took chew of tobacco while he inspected the afternoon sky with clear conscience

" splendid autumn leaves to decorate our cozy apartments," Mrs Ellsworth told her husband passed in hearing Van Kamps " those oldtime rag rugs are the most oddly decorative effects that ever seen so rich in color and so exquisitely blended "

There were reasons why this poisoned arrow failed to rankle, but the Van Kamps trouble to explain They were waiting for Ralph out and join his parents Ralph, it seemed, however, had decided not walk He had already fatigued himself, he had explained, mother had favored him with significant look readily believe him, she had assured him, and had then left him in scorn

The Van Kamps went out to consider the arrangement barn Evelyn returned first and came out porch handkerchief not there, but Ralph was She was surprised him, and she intimated