Isn't there some other spot a little more secluded, where we could sit down," she went on, as she poked her parasol into the usual black gunpowdery deposit of earth which mingled with the carpet of pine-needles beneath her feet, "and not get all sticky and dirty ?" Barker's eyes sparkled.

"I know every foot of this hill, Mrs.
Horncastle," he said, "and if you will follow me I'll take you to one of the loveliest nooks you ever dreamed of.

It's an old Indian spring now forgotten, and I think known only to me and the birds.

It's not more than ten minutes from here; only"-- he hesitated as he caught sight of the smart French bronze buckled shoe and silken ankle which Mrs.Horncastle's gathering up of her dainty skirts around her had disclosed--"it may be a little rough and dusty going to your feet." But Mrs.Horncastle pointed out that she had already irretrievably ruined her shoes and stockings in climbing up to him,--although Barker could really distinguish no diminution of their freshness,--and that she might as well go on.

Whereat they both passed down the long aisle of slope to a little hollow of manzanita, which again opened to a view of Black Spur, but left the hotel hidden.
"What time did Kitty go ?" began Barker eagerly, when they were half down the slope.
But here Mrs.Horncastle's foot slipped upon the glassy pine-needles, and not only stopped an answer, but obliged Barker to give all his attention to keep his companion from falling again until they reached the open.