re forever singing
his praises."

"Why shouldn't I?" demanded Link sturdily. "There's not a dandier,
better pal anywhere, than what Chum's been to me. He--"

"Yes, yes," assented Dorcas, "I know. I don't doubt it. But, after all,
he's only a dog, you know. And if you can get a good price for him, as
you say, then the only thing to do is to sell him. In hard times like
these--"

"Times ain't hard," denied Link tersely. "And Chum ain't for sale.
That's all there is to it."

If one of her father's sleek cart horses had suddenly walked out of its
stall with a shouted demand that it be allowed to do the driving,
henceforth, and that its owners do the hauling, Dorcas Chatham could
not have been much more surprised than at this unlooked-for speech from
her humble suitor.

Up to now, Link Ferris had treated the girl as though he were unworthy
to breathe the same air as herself. He had been pathetically eager to
concede any and every mooted point to her, with a servile abasement
which had roused her contempt, even while it had gratified her sense of
power.

She had approached with tact the subject of Chum's disposal. But she
had done so with a view to the saving of Link's feelings, not with the
faintest idea that her love-bemused slave could venture to oppose her.
She knew his fondness for the dog and she had not wished to bring
matters to an issue, if tact would serve as well.

To punish her serf and to crush rebellion once and for all, as well as
to be avenged for her wasted diplomacy, Dorcas cast aside her kindlier
intent and drove straight to the point. Her calm temper was ruffled,
and she spoke with a new heat:

"There is something you and I may as well settle, here and now, Link,"
she said. "It will save bickerings and misunderstandings, later on.
I've told you how I hate dogs. They are savage and treacherous and--"

"Chum ain't!" declared Link stoutly.

"Why, that dog--"

"I hate dogs," she went on, "and I'm horribly afraid of them. I won't
live in the same house with one. I don't want to hurt your feelings,
Link, but you'll have to get rid of that great brown brute before you
marry me. That is positive. So please let's say no more about it."

The man was staring at her with under jaw ajar. Her sharp air of
finality grated on his every nerve. Her ultimatum concerning Chum left
him dumfounded. But he forced himself to rally to the defense.

This glorious sweetheart of his did not understand dogs. He had h