midnight
`` We are having such a romance here at Phoenix . You have doubtless heard of the beautiful girl at ` Starlight Ranch , ' as we call the Burnham place , up the valley . Everybody who called has been rebuffed ; but , after catching a few glimpses of her , Mr. Baker became completely infatuated and rode up that way three or four times a week . Of late he has ceased going in the daytime , but it is known that he rides out towards dusk and gets back long after midnight , sometimes not till morning . Of course it takes four hours , nearly , to come from there full-speed , but though Major Tracy will admit nothing , it must be that Mr. Baker has his permission to be away at night . We all believe that it is another case of love laughing at locksmiths and that in some way they contrive to meet . One thing is certain , -- Mr. Baker is desperately in love and will permit no trifling with him on the subject . ''