"
Jeff had no reply. Something warned him to keep silent. The older man
in his earnest simplicity had opened out to him a vista which he felt
he had no right to gaze upon.
As they jogged steadily along over the blue-green carpet, and the
kaleidoscopic coloring of the distant slopes fell away behind them, his
whole mental vision became occupied by the sweet picture of a
brown-eyed, brown-haired girl. But he was regarding it without any
lover's emotions. Rather was he regarding it as one who calmly
appraises a beautiful jewel he does not covet. He was thinking of Nan
as he had known her for some five years. From the days of her
schoolgirlhood he had watched her develop into a grown woman full of
all that was wholesome and winsome. She was her father over again,
trustful, simple, fearless, and she was possessed of a whimsical
philosophy quite beyond her years. Her beauty was undeniable, her
gentle kindliness was no less. But the memory of these things made no
stirring within him. Nan was just a loyal little friend whom he loved
and was ready to serve as he might love and help a sister, but regard
of her broke off at that.
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