feel, but I can't
advise you about that. That article said you weren't responsible--it
said in very unpleasant words that you had been robbed, and that giving
you the farm and making you think that was your fair share was a part of
the fraud. If they should go into that, you might get a lot more. Isn't
that so?"

"I don't believe Charlie did it; I don't believe it any more than I
believe that my father made money unfairly out of the building of the
trolley line. But it's up to us to reply to this attack in a way to stop
all criticism. We can't have people thinking such things about us," he
went on more earnestly. "It's ghastly! And I'm going to surrender the
farm; I won't keep it if these things are true or half true. I won't
hold an acre of it until these questions are settled!"

"That sounds square enough. But I don't know anything about it. Just on
general principles, as long as you're not mixed up in the fuss, I'd hang
on to my farm, particularly if you were entitled to more than you got.
But you need a lawyer, not a girl to talk to."

"I suppose that's so; and I oughtn't to have talked to you about it at
all. But somehow--"

They had reached the Bartletts' again and Phil paused with her hand on
the gate. She had decided not to ask him in to luncheon; his mood was
not one that promised well for a luncheon party; and Nan, at least, had
clearly manifested her unfriendliness toward all the Holtons.

"Somehow, I felt that I'd like to tell you how I felt about it. I
shouldn't want you to think we were as bad as that story in the
'Advertiser' makes us out."

"That's all right, Fred. This will all come out right"; and Phil swung
open the gate and stepped into the little yard.

"I want," said Fred, detainingly, speaking across the gate; "I want you
to think well of me! I care a good deal about what you think of me!"

"Oh, everybody thinks well of you!" answered Phil, and caught up the
drumstick and announced herself.

CHAPTER XIV

TURKEY RUN

A week before Christmas Mrs. William Holton gave a sleigh-ride and
skating-party for a niece from Memphis, and Phil was invited. She
mentioned the matter to her father, and asked him what she should do
about it.

He had come back from Indianapolis in good spirits, and told her that
the affairs of the traction company had been adjusted and that he hoped
there would be no more trouble. He seemed infinitely relieved by the
outcome, and his satisfaction expressed i