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wuz jest ten righteous people in the whole city would He save it, and God said He would, but they wuzn't ten—Ay, Lord! Same here, Abner, jest exactly the same here!" The old man thumped the top rail with his calloused fist and stood shaking his head in the fading sunshine.

Abner hadn't the faintest notion what he was talking about.

Miss Mary Lou Meredith must have heard the noise her father was making and divined its cause, for presently Abner saw her appear in the dark doorway of the farmhouse and then start to the gate with a certain curiosity in her manner.

Squire Meredith broke off his tirade to watch her approach. He remained quite silent until she reached the gate and had come to rest with her hands on its top, then he asked significantly, "Did you want anything, Mary Lou?"

Mary Lou made an unconvincing display of fanning her olive cheeks with her handkerchief. "I jest come out for a breath of air."

Abner began a movement to produce the note when the Squire said flatly, "Well, there is air in all directions, Mary Lou."

Mary Lou's dark brows puckered. "I declare, Pap," she ejaculated sharply, "air you an' Abner Teeftaller talkin' sich secrets I kain't stan' here at my own gate?" Then she changed her tone completely and asked cordially, "How air ye, Abner?"

"I jest come by . . ." began Abner, so embarrassed he could hardly get the note from his pocket.

"Put that right back in yore pocket, Abner," directed the old man sharply.

The girl flared up. "Now there you go ag'in! If the worl' ain't goin' to last but till October I don't see why I should be kep' penned up like fatt'nin' stock!"

The old man smote the top rail. "None o' yore high jinks aroun' me, Mary Lou! I simply ain't goin' to have that Peck Bradley comin' aroun' me!"