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Lida's heart was light as she neared her home despite the troubles that swirled about her. So lighthearted was she that she was whistling gaily. Her brother heard the tune and watched her as she crossed the yard. Seeing her gaiety aroused his resentment against the girl and her lover. He looked at her long and steadily, a scowl on his face. As she reached the top step he grew suspicious of her happiness. She was about to pass him and enter the dining room when he caught her by the shoulder.

"Here! Where've you been?" he demanded abruptly.

She whirled from under his grasp and stood facing him, piquancy and daring in her attitude. "What matter's it to you?" she asked.

"No girl's got any business running about over the country alone."

"Indeed? Since when?—I've done that all my life. At least until you and Daddy, appointed Mr. Marley my guardian?" she taunted.

"You need a guardian, all right. You ought to be put away," Elvin observed.

"And why?"

Elvin refused to answer. Suddenly he pointedly asked:

"Where's that—that—" he hesitated then continued—"Bennet?"

"How should I know," she answered innocently. "You knights of the old fields ought to know best. Didn't you find him last night?"