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signature does not correspond with the form it is written in the deed; some little misstep, you know," the banker waved his fingers and drew a legal-looking paper from the drawer. "Now here is a quit-claim deed which Mr. Sharp has drawn up, and if you'll sign it—you can write, can't you?"

"Y-yes, sir," hesitated Abner, deeply suspicious of a trap.

"Chester, just count out Abner four hundred dollars in ten-dollar bills."

Abner looked at the cashier quickly, "I thought you said five hundred dollars?"

"You'll do, Abner," smiled the banker. "Make it five hundred, Chester."

The blond youth reached into a drawer and began counting green and yellow backs apparently out of an illimitable sheaf. A dreamlike feeling came over Abner. It did not seem that this money could be real or that he was going to get it. A violent emotion seized him and he arose with a shaken feeling to sign the paper when he glanced across and happened to see Mr. Ditmas frowning at him and shaking his head slightly but urgently.

It had the effect on Abner of a dash of cold water on a sleep walker. A certain kindness the engineer had shown Abner at the poorhouse had established the boy's confidence and this was something he felt for no one else in the group. He was advancing toward the table. Now he stopped still and drawled in his flat hill tones, "Naw, I don't reckon I'll sign that right now."

Mr. Northcutt was shocked and instantly angry.

"Won't sign it!" he cried. "Now, look here, Abner, that's no way for a man to do, balk like a mule right in the midst of an agreed trade. Why, you—you—what do you mean, shilly-shallying like this?"

The angry timbre of his voice aroused Abner. "I ain't shilly-shallyin'," he retorted obstinately. "I ain't goin' to sign it!"

Mr. Northcutt caught up the paper which he wanted signed and shook it at Abner. "My young man, I'll bring