Had Bonner pressed his demands upon her at the end of the visit in Boston, it is possible--more than possible--that she would have faltered in her resolution.

After all, why should she deprive herself of happiness if it was held out to her with the promise that it should never end?
The summer turned steaming hot in the lowlands about Tinkletown, but in the great hills across the river the air was cool, bright, and invigorating.

People began to hurry to their country homes from the distant cities.

Before the month was old, a score or more of beautiful places were opened and filled with the sons and daughters of the rich.
Lazily they drifted and drove and walked through the wonderful hills, famed throughout the world, and lazily they wondered why the rest of the world lived.

In the hills now were the Randalls, the Farnsworths, the Brackens, the Brewsters, the Van Wagenens, the Rolfes and a host of others.