“Do you often come up this way?” she questioned.
He turned from the child, straightened himself, and leaning one arm against the tree, answered,—
“Once or twice every summer I run away from humanity for a few days, and generally find myself in this part of the country. This is one of my select spots. I knew you would ferret it out.”
“It is very lovely here. But we are going home now; the afternoon is growing old. Come, Ethel.”
A shadow fell upon his dark eyes as she spoke, scarcely looking at him. Why should she hurry off at his coming?
“I am sorry my presence disturbs you,” he said quietly; “But I can easily go away again.”
“Was I so rude?” she asked, looking up with a sudden smile. “I did not mean it so; but Ethel’s mother will want her now.”
“Ethel wants to be carried,” begged the child.
“All right; Ruth will carry you,” and she stooped to raise her; but as she did so, Kemp’s strong hand was laid upon her arm and held her back.
“Ethel will ride home on my shoulder,” he said in the gay, winning voice he knew how so well to use with children. The baby’s blue eyes smiled in response to his as he swing her lightly to his broad shoulder. There is nothing prettier to a woman than to see the confidence that a little child reposes in a strong man.