"You're a world-beater, sure thing, and I'm going to get you yet!"

"Cut it out!" she slangily retorted, sharply, withdrawing her hand.

"You'll see!" he shouted, laughing back at her, full of hope again.

She was equally curt with two or three others who brazenly tried to buy
a smile with their cigars. "Do business, boys; this is my day to sell
goods," she said, and they took the hint.

When Haney came out from his supper, he stepped quietly in behind the
counter and said: "I'll take your place. Get your grub. Then put on your
hat and we'll drive out to see how the mother is." The girl acknowledged
a sense of relief as she left him in charge and went to her seat in the
far corner of the dining-room--a relief and a dangerous relaxation. It
was, after all, a pleasure to feel that a strong, sure hand was
out-stretched in sympathy--and she was tired. Even as she sat waiting
for her tea the collapse came, and bowing her head to her hands she
shook with silent sobs.

The waitresses stared, and young Mrs. Gilman came hurrying. "What's the
matter, Bertie; are you sick?"

"Oh no--but I'm worried--about mother."

"You haven't heard anything--?"

"No, but she looked so old and so worn when she went away. She ought to
have quit here a month ago."

"Well, I wouldn't worry. It's cooler out to the ranch, and the air is so
pure she'll pick up right away--you'll see."

"I hope so, but she ought to take it easy the rest of her days. She's
done work enough--and I'm kind o' discouraged myself."

Slowly she recovered her self-possession. She drank her tea in
abstracted silence, and at last she said: "I'm going out there, Cassie;
you'll have to look after things. I'll get some of the boys to 'tend the
office."

"You're not going alone?"

"No, Mart Haney is going to drive me."

"Oh!" There was a look of surprise and consternation in the face of the
young wife, but she only asked, "You'll be back to-night?"

"Yes, if mother is no worse."

Haney had the smartest "rig" in town waiting for her as she came out,
but as he looked at her white dress and pretty hat of flowers and tulle
he apologized for its shortcomings--"'Tis lined with cream-colored satin
it _should_ be."

She colored a little at this, but quickly replied: "Blarney. Anybody'd
know you were an Irishman."

"I am, and proud of it."

"I want to take the doctor out to see mother."

"Not in this rig," he protested.

She smiled. "Why not? No, but I want to go