At Love's Cost

He nodded carelessly as he turned to the beautiful girl, lying back now

and looking up at his handsome face with an air of languid

indifference.

"What a lovely day, Miss Falconer! Where are all the others? Are you

not going for a drive, on the lake, somewhere?"

"I have just been asking Mr. Howard to take me for a row," she said,

"but he has refused."

Stafford laughed and glanced at his watch.

"I can quite believe it: he's the laziest wretch in existence. If

you'll transfer the offer to me, we'll go after lunch. By George,

there's the bell!"

"Thanks!" she murmured, and she rose with her slow grace. "I'd better

get into an appropriate costume. Mr. Howard, what will you bet me that

it does not rain before we start. But you never bet, you tell me!"

"Not unless I am sure of winning, Miss Falconer," he said,

significantly.

She looked after Stafford as he rode away to the stable.

"Nor I," she retorted, with a smile. "As you will see."