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from a desire to placate racial jealousy and settle local differences。
For the inferior Mexicans and Indian half…breeds still regarded
their old masters with affection； were； in fact； more concerned for
the integrity of their caste than the masters were themselves； and
the old Spanish families who had made alliances with Americans； and
shared their land with them； had rarely succeeded in alienating
their retainers with their lands。 Certain experiences in the
proving of his grant before the Land Commission had taught Peyton
that they were not to be depended upon。 And lately there had been
unpleasant rumors of the discovery of some unlooked…for claimants to
a division of the grant itself； which might affect his own title。
He looked up quickly as voices and light steps on the veranda at
last heralded the approach of his tardy household from the corridor。
But； in spite of his preoccupation； he was startled and even
awkwardly impressed with a change in Susy's appearance。 She was
wearing； for the first time； a long skirt； and this sudden maturing
of her figure struck him； as a man； much more forcibly than it would
probably have impressed a woman； more familiar with details。 He had
not noticed certain indications of womanhood； as significant；
perhaps； in her carriage as her outlines； which had been lately
perfectly apparent to her mother and Mary； but which were to him
now； for the first time； indicated by a few inches of skirt。 She
not only looked taller to his masculine eyes； but these few inches
had added to the mystery as well as the drapery of the goddess； they
were not so much the revelation of maturity as the suggestion that
it was HIDDEN。 So impressed was he； that a half…serious lecture on
her yesterday's childishness； the outcome of his irritated
reflections that morning； died upon his lips。 He felt he was no
longer dealing with a child。
He welcomed them with that smile of bantering approbation； supposed
to keep down inordinate vanity； which for some occult reason one
always reserves for the members of one's own family。 He was quite
conscious that Susy was looking very pretty in this new and mature
frock； and that as she stood beside his wife； far from ageing Mrs。
Peyton's good looks and figure； she appeared like an equal
companion； and that they mutually 〃became〃 one another。 This； and
the fact that they were all； including Mary Rogers； in their
freshest； gayest morning dresses； awakened a half…humorous； half…
real apprehension in his mind； that he was now hopelessly surrounded
by a matured sex； and in a weak minority。
〃I think I ought to have been prepared；〃 he began grimly； 〃for this
addition totothe skirts of my family。〃
〃Why； John；〃 returned Mrs。 Peyton quickly； 〃do you mean to say you
haven't noticed that the poor child has for weeks been looking
positively indecent？〃
〃Really； papa； I've been a sight to behold。 Haven't I； Mary？〃
chimed in Susy。
〃Yes； dear。 Why； Judge； I've been wondering that Susy stood it so
well； and never complained。〃
Peyton glanced around him at this compact feminine embattlement。 It
was as he feared。 Yet even here he was again at fault。
〃And；〃 said Mrs。 Peyton slowly； with the reserved significance of
the feminine postscript in her voice； 〃if that Mr。 Brant is coming
here to…day； it would be just as well for him to see that SHE IS NO
LONGER A CHILD； AS WHEN HE KNEW HER。〃
An hour later； good…natured Mary Rogers； in her character of 〃a
dear；〃which was usually indicated by the undertaking of small
errands for her friend；was gathering roses from the old garden for
Susy's adornment； when she saw a vision which lingered with her for
many a day。 She had stopped to look through the iron grille in the
adobe wall； across the open wind…swept plain。 Miniature waves were
passing over the wild oats； with glittering disturbances here and
there in the depressions like the sparkling of green foam； the
horizon line was sharply defined against the hard； steel…blue sky；
everywhere the brand…new morning was shining with almost painted
brilliancy； the vigor； spirit； and even crudeness of youth were over
all。 The young girl was dazzled and bewildered。 Suddenly； as if
blown out of the waving grain； or an incarnation of the vivid
morning； the bright and striking figure of a youthful horseman
flashed before the grille。 It was Clarence Brant！ Mary Rogers had
always seen him； in the loyalty of friendship； with Susy's
prepossessed eyes； yet she fancied that morning that he had never
looked so handsome before。 Even the foppish fripperies of his
riding…dress and silver trappings seemed as much the natural
expression of conquering youth as the invincible morning sunshine。
Perhaps it might have been a reaction against Susy's caprice or some
latent susceptibility of her own； but a momentary antagonism to her
friend stirred even her kindly nature。 What right had Susy to
trifle with such an opportunity？ Who was SHE to hesitate over this
gallant prince？
But Prince Charming's quick eyes had detected her； and the next
moment his beautiful horse was beside the grating； and his ready
hand of greeting extended through the bars。
〃I suppose I am early and unexpected； but I slept at Santa Inez last
night； that I might ride over in the cool of the morning。 My things
are coming by the stage…coach； later。 It seemed such a slow way of
coming one's self。〃
Mary Rogers's black eyes intimated that the way he had taken was the
right one； but she gallantly recovered herself and remembered her
position as confidante。 And here was the opportunity of delivering
Susy's warning unobserved。 She withdrew her hand from Clarence's
frank grasp； and passing it through the grating； patted the sleek；
shining flanks of his horse； with a discreet division of admiration。
〃And such a lovely creature； too！ And Susy will be so delighted！
and oh； Mr。 Brant； please； you're to say nothing of having met her
at Santa Clara。 It's just as well not to begin with THAT here； for；
you see〃 （with a large； maternal manner）； 〃you were both SO young
then。〃
Clarence drew a quick breath。 It was the first check to his vision
of independence and equal footing！ Then his invitation was NOT the
outcome of a continuous friendship revived by Susy； as he had hoped；
the Peytons had known nothing of his meeting with her； or perhaps
they would not have invited him。 He was here as an impostor；and
all because Susy had chosen to make a mystery of a harmless
encounter； which might have been explained； and which they might
have even countenanced。 He thought bitterly of his old playmate for
a brief moment；as brief as Mary's antagonism。 The young girl
noticed the change in his face； but misinterpreted it。
〃Oh； there's no danger of its coming out if you don't say anything；〃
she said； quickly。 〃Ride on to the house； and don't wait for me。
You'll find them in the patio on the veranda。〃