"Why, of course, from the girl herself. Having a women's natural curiosity, and exercising that privilege which my age gives me, I asked her if there was anything between them, and she assured me there was not."
"Well then, I'll tell you what my opinion is, wife; the chap has got something else on his mind which troubles him."
"What makes you think that?"
"Little things I have noticed from time to time; but more especially the few words dropped when he first came here, to the effect that his had been a wasted life. He said, if I remember right, that he had disgraced a good name, and now wanted to hide and escape recognition."
"Have you ever tried to gain his confidence?"
"No, Bess, for I have always felt a delicacy about it. In my opinion, the confidence that is worth the name, should be given willingly, and not forced."
"A little encouragement might not be thrown away,—natures, you know, are so different."
"Well, the very next opportunity that offers I will endeavour to draw him out."
Not many days after this conversation had taken place, Ranger was seated with Fellows, at the close of the day's labour, outside the house, smoking their pipes, which seemed to offer the opportunity the former was waiting for.
Breaking the silence which had reigned for some time, Ranger started by saying—