Hollidew, Simmons
and Company had joined in a conspiracy to purchase them throughout the
county at a nominal sum and reap the benefits of the large enhancement.
The death of the former had interrupted that satisfactory scheme; now
Valentine Simmons had conceived the plan of gathering all the profit to
himself. And, Gordon admitted, he had nearly succeeded ... nearly. A slow
smile crossed Gordon Makimmon's features as he realized what a pleasant
conversation he would have with Simmons at the latter's expense. He had
never conceived the possibility of getting the astute storekeeper into
such a satisfactory, retaliatory position. He would extract the last
penny of profit and enjoyment from the other's surprise.

The men beyond re-entered the buggy and drove toward the village.

"What is it?" Meta Beggs asked; "you look pleased."

"Oh, I fell on a little scheme," he replied evasively; "a trifle ... worth
a hundred thousand or more to me."

Her eyes widened with avidity. "I didn't know the whole, God forsaken
place was worth a thousand," she remarked. "A hundred thousand," the mere
repetition of that sum brought a new shine into her gaze, instinctively
drew her closer to Gordon's side.

"Just that alone would be enough--" she said, and paused.

He ignored this opening in the anticipated pleasure of his coming
interview with Valentine Simmons.

A palpable annoyance took possession of her at Gordon's absorption. "It
must be near dinner at Peterman's," she remarked; "on Sunday you've got to
be on time."

In response to her suggestion he turned toward the road. They walked back
silently until they were opposite the priest's. "I'd better go on alone,"
she decided. Her hands clung to his shoulders and she sought his lips.
"Soon again," she murmured. "Don't desert me; I am entirely alone except
for you."

She left him and swiftly crossed the green to the road.

XII

Gordon carefully explained the entire circumstance of the timber to
Lettice. "I just happened to be by the stream," he continued, "and
overheard them. Your father and Simmons evidently had arranged the thing,
and Simmons was going to crowd you out of all the gain."

"You see to it," she returned listlessly; "you have my name on that paper,
the power of something or other." She was seated on the porch of their
dwelling. A low-drifting mass of formless grey cloud filled the narrow
opening of the ranges, drooping in nebulous veils of suspended moistu