As she did so she heard the sound of hoofs in the rear courtyard.

This was presently followed by a step on the veranda, and she opened the door to her father with the letters still in her hand.

There was neither the least embarrassment nor self-consciousness in her manner.
Captain Dows, superficially remarkable only for a certain odd combination of high military stock and turned-over planter's collar, was slightly exalted by a sympathetic mingling of politics and mint julep at Pineville Court House.

"I was passing by the post-office at the Cross Roads last week, dear," he began, cheerfully, "and I thought of you, and reckoned it was about time that my Pussy got one of her letters from her rich Californian friend--and sure enough there was one.

I clean forgot to give it to you then, and only remembered it passing there to-day.