hs from the sale of the
Tolliver's Subdivision papah, the thing becomes a mattah of no
impo'tance whatevah!"

"But," went on Josie, "how shall we be able to pay the next installment
of interest, and the principal, when it falls due?"

"Amply provided foh, my deah Madam," said the Captain, waving his arm;
"the defe'ed payments and the interest on them will create an ample
sinking fund!"

"But if they don't?" she inquired.

"That such a contingency can possibly arise, Madam," said the Captain in
his most impressive orotund, and with his hand thrust into the bosom of
his Prince Albert coat, "is something which my loyalty to Lattimore, my
faith in my fellow citizens, my confidence in Mr. Elkins and Mr.
Barslow, and my regahd fo' my own honah, pledged as it is to those to
whom I have sold these properties on the representations I have made as
to the prospects of the city, will not puhmit me to admit!"

This seemed to him entirely conclusive, and cut off the investigation.
Conversation like this, in which Josie questioned the Captain and seemed
ever convinced by his answers, gave her high rank in the Captain's
estimation.

"Like most ladies," said he, "Miss Trescott is a little inclined to
ovah-conservatism; but unlike most people of both sexes, she is quite
able to grasp the lahgest views when explained to huh, and huh mental
processes ah unerring. I have nevah failed to make the most complicated
situation cleah to huh--nevah!"

And all this time Mr. Trescott was safeguarded at home, looking after
his horses, carriages, and grounds, and at last permitted to come over
to our house and pass the evening with me occasionally. It was on one of
these visits that he spread out the map on the table and explained to me
the advantages of his ranch on Wolf Nose Creek. The very thought of the
open range and the roaming herds seemed to strengthen him.

"You talk," said I, "as if it were all settled. Are you really going out
there?"

"Wal," said he, after some hesitation, "it kind o' makes me feel good to
lay plans f'r goin'. I've made the deal with Aleck Macdonald f'r the
water front--it's a good spec if I never go near it--an' I guess I'll
send a bunch o' steers out to please Josie an' her ma. They're
purtendin' to be stuck on goin', an' I've made the bargain to pacify
'em; but, say, do you know what kind of a place it is out on one o' them
ranches?"

"In a general way, yes," said I.

"W'l, a general way wun't do," said h