veteran. "You are younger than you were nine
years ago, Mr. Arp," said Ariel, gayly. "I caught
a glimpse of you upon the street, to-day, and I
thought so then. Now I see that I was right."

"Me--YOUNGER!" he groaned. "No, ma'am! I'm
mighty near through with this fool world--and I'd
be glad of it, if I didn't expect that if there IS
another one afterwards, it would be jest as ornery!"

She laughed, leaning forward, resting her elbows
on her knee, and her chin in her hand, so that the
shadow of her hat shielded her eyes from the light.
"I thought you looked surprised when you saw
me to day."

"I reckon I did!" he exclaimed. "Who wouldn't
of been?"

"Why?"

"Why?" he repeated, confounded by her
simplicity. "Why?"

"Yes," she laughed. "That's what I'm anxious
to know."

"Wasn't the whole town the same way?" he
demanded. "Did you meet anybody that didn't
look surprised?"