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 it, if I can help it, when there's many a stout lad in the province that would only be too glad to lay all he had at her feet."

"Cousin, cousin!" cried Ruth, her face red as a rose; and, putting her hands to her ears, she ran out of the room.

The young people ran after her, and Robert, turning to John, touched him upon the arm and said, "Let's go into the kitchen and smoke our pipes. I want to say a word about this matter." And seated there, in comfortable chairs, Robert told John all that he knew of Ruth's affairs, and added, "I believe it is an ugly business and should be thwarted." Then, after a pause, for John could make no reply, so confusing were his thoughts, Robert said, "Have you spoken to Ruth?"

"About what?"

"Why, about yourself." And Robert laughed heartily. "Man alive! everybody knows you are in love, and I for one am glad to know it. Why else did you talk to Bunting's old hound in that queer way some time ago? You didn't know, of course, there was an eavesdropper about, but there