"There were three of the scoundrels. They made me climb out of
the saddle, and as I was unarmed they did as they pleased with
me, which was to stamp me flat in the road--"

"Charley!"

"I might almost be inclined to think they were friends of yours,
Betty--or at least friends of friends of yours."

"What do you mean, Charley--friends of mine?"

"Well, you see they started in by stipulating that I should keep
away from Belle Plain, and the terms they proposed being on the
face of them preposterous, trouble quickly ensued--trouble for
me, you understand. But never mind, dear, the next man who
undertakes to grab my horse by the bit won't get off quite so
easy."

"Why should any one care whether you come to Belle Plain or not?"

"I wonder if my amiable friend, Tom, could have arranged this
little affair; it's sort of like old Tom to move in the dark,
isn't it?"

"He couldn't--he wouldn't have done it, Charley!" but she looked
troubled, not too sure of this.

"Couldn't he? Well, maybe he couldn't--but he's afraid you'll
marry me--and I'm only afraid you won't. Betty, hasn't it ever