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 saw a large, fair-faced woman directing several wenches. As the little girl paused again, shyly, Mistress Gifford, wife of the host, approached her.

"There—there were some men in there by the fire," murmured Charity in answer to her question as to what she wished.

"Ah, I understand!" And Mistress Gifford's sweet face flushed. Tis doubtless Captain Jaffray stirring up trouble! Well, we shall return to the proper room for our guests."

So saying, Mistress Gifford flung the kitchen door open and entered the taproom with sturdy tread.

"How now, sir! May I ask why you send a guest into ye kitchen?" she demanded in a high, audible voice.

"My dear," returned the tavern keeper deprecatingly, "I but did it for her own peace o' mind."

"Enough!" answered his wife sternly. "Let it be understood, forsooth, that this room is for all of our guests and that any one not behaving in a gentlemanly manner is free to leave!"

This time, before her angry glance, Captain Jaffray's eyes sought his plate and, victorious, Mistress Gifford turned away, to beckon Charity to a table in a cozy inglenook. A moment later the door opened and Young Cy entered hastily.

To Charity's surprise, however, he did not come to where she was waiting, but hurried over to the fireplace where, a moment later, to her great displeasure, she heard him greeting the man Jaffray in a loud, cordial manner. There was a laughing exchange of