The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-10-25

as she returned from the Land of Nod. Footsteps sounded on the sandy path below her window and then she hear Rupert say, Hush, Sonny"
 Joan stretched her arms above her head and opening her sleepy eyes tried to focus them on her wrist watch. 'Oh, dear, it's only eight o'clock" she murmured petutantly as she drew the covers about her. The warmth of the bed was inviting and she was so sleepy. As she heard Sonny's high treble again she gave an exclamation of impotence. Yawning drowsily she tossed the GOV CTS aside, II suppose 1 must get up, she groaned and a wrinkle showed be- tewwen her eyebrows, for she suddenly realized that from now on her hours Of rising and retiring would be governed by the demands of the household and that she could no longer consult her own moods.
 She had knack of dressing quickly and a few minutes later she entered the breakfast room. It opened on porch facing a turgid mountain stream which had aroused her interest from a fish ing viewpoint, and there she saw Ru- pert and his small son. Walking to- wards the door she said. Good morn ing, Mir. Ransome. Good morning, Sonny. hope I haven't kept you wait ing. but I must confess l slept so soundly I awoke only a few minutes ago." .,
 Good morning, Miss Fairweather. I'm glad you had such a good sleep, said Rupert, while Joan, remembering the events of the past night, wondered if he had reason to be glad that she was a good sleeper. People generally find the air so bracing here that at first they are very sleepy, but ot course, that's all right as we've no trains to catch nor, as a rule, any very early appointments to keep"
 "Well," laughed Joan as she took Sonny's hand in hers. "I'm glad to hear that. If I should fail to be on time again, I can just blame 1t on the air" and Joan laughed engagingly.
 ''Ah, here comes Rosanna with break fast. Will you sit here?" asked Ru- pert. addressing Joan as he pulled out chair at the head of the table.
 "Thank you," she answered and hay ing acknowledged Rosanna's morning greeting she started to pour the coffee.
 Breakfast over, Sonny begged Joan to go with him and see his pets and, indorsing the invitation, Rupert walked with them towards the barns. As loans eyes studied the landscape her memory was busy with the strange incidents Of the night and she sought to discover the point from whence she imagined the lights came. But in the clear light of day the significance of the mysterious lights seemed to fade and as Rupert chatted frankly with her she wondered if after all her imagination had not tricked her.
 It was quite evident that he adored his small son and he was also justly proud of the fine animals he raised on his farm. She was enjoying her tour of inspection immensely when, as they passed from one barn to another, a rather mean-faced looking man beck oned Rupert. While his eyes shifted from Joan to the foreman who was di- recting affairs nearby, he whispered something to his employer.
 A shade of annoyance, or was 1t fear, flickered across Ruperts face. It was gone in a moment and turning to Joan he said in rather staccato tones, "What do you think of the placer"
 q think this is wonderful. I'd no idea that cattle were kept in such aristocratic quarters and bathed and brushed so carefully she answered gaily, although little doubt was gnaw' ing at her heart. She sensed some mys tery and a thousand questioning thoughts tantalized her as she went to wards the kennels.
 Now, Miss Fair-Fair-M s Fairy" piped Sonny's childish voice I'm going to show you my dogs You've seen plenty of Daddy's cows, and Sonny seized Joan's hand anc sterred her towards a smaller building
 There was chorus of youthful bark ing when Joan, carefully pilotcd Son ny-for it was rather dark when the left the brilliant sunshine of outdoors approached the fartherest corner of tn dog house.
 S'DOnat be scared of themc be eai