Brandon of the Engineers

After trying in vain to persuade him, Jake went away, and soon afterwards

Kenwardine came in. The light was strong and Dick noted the touches of

gray in his short, dark hair, but except for this he looked young and

athletic. His figure was graceful, his dress picturesque, for he wore

white duck with a colored silk shirt and red sash, and he had an easy,

good-humored manner. Sitting down close by, he gave Dick a friendly

smile.

"I'm glad to find you looking better, but am surprised to hear you think

of leaving us," he said.

"My work must be falling behind and Stuyvesant has nobody to put in my

place."

"He sent word that they were getting on all right," Kenwardine remarked.

"I'm afraid he was overstating it with a good motive. Then, you see, I

have given you and Miss Kenwardine a good deal of trouble and can't take

advantage of your kindness any longer. It would be an unfair advantage,

because I'm getting well. Of course I'm very grateful, particularly as I

have no claim on you."

"That is a point you can hardly urge. You are a countryman, and your

cousin is a friend of mine. I think on that ground we are justified in

regarding you as an acquaintance."

Dick was silent for a few moments. He felt that had things been different

he would have liked Kenwardine. The man had charm and had placed him

under a heavy obligation. Dick admitted this frankly, but could not stay

any longer in his house. He had, however, a better reason for going than

his dislike to accepting Kenwardine's hospitality. Clare had robbed him

and he must get away before he thought of her too much. It was an awkward

situation and he feared he had not tact enough to deal with it.

"The truth is, I've no wish to renew my acquaintance with people I met in

England, and I went to America in order to avoid doing so," he said. "You

know what happened before I left."

"Yes; but I think you are exaggerating its importance. After all, you're

not the only man who has, through nothing worse than carelessness, had a

black mark put against his name. You may have a chance yet of showing

that the thing was a mistake."

"Then I must wait until the chance comes," Dick answered firmly.

"Very well," said Kenwardine. "Since this means you're determined to go,

we must try to make it as easy as possible for you. I'll see the doctor

and Mr. Fuller."

He went out, and by and by Clare came in and noted a difference in Dick.

He had generally greeted her as eagerly as his weakness allowed, and

showed his dependence on her, but now his face was hard and resolute. The

change was puzzling and disturbing.