. His features were heavy and set; his manner was
brooding and depressed; he did not alertly follow the conversation; on
the contrary, he seemed oblivious of it as his full dark eyes rested
absently on the fire. More than once he passed his hand across them
with a troubled, harassed manner, and he sighed heavily. For which his
co-conspirators could have fallen upon him. How could he be so dull, so
forgetful of all save the fear of separation from the boy whom he had
reared, whom he loved as his own son; how could he fail to know that a
jaunty, assured mien might best serve his interests until at any rate
the blow had fallen; why should he wear the insignia of defeat
before the strength of his claim was tested? Assuredly his manner was
calculated to greatly reinforce Nehemiah Yerby's confidence, and to
assist in eliminating difficulties in the urging of his superior rights
and the carrying out of his scheme. Mrs. Sudley's heart sank as she
caught a significant gleam from the boy's eyes; he too appreciated this
disastrous policy, this virtual surrender before a blow was struck.

"An' Ty ain't afeard o' bars," she silently commented, "nor wolves, nor
wind, nor lightning, nor man in enny kind o' a free fight; but bekase
he dun'no' how the _law_ stands, an' air afeard the law _mought_ be able
ter take Lee-yander, he jes sets thar ez pitiful ez a lost kid, fairly
ready ter blate aloud."

She descried the covert triumph twinkling among the sparse light
lashes and "crow-feet" about Nehemiah's eyes as he droned on an
ever-lengthening account of his experiences since leaving the county.

"It's a mighty satisfyin' thing ter be well off in yearthly goods an'
chattels," said Laurelia, with sudden inspiration. "Ty, thar, is in
debt."

For Uncle Nehemiah had been dwelling unctuously upon the extent to which
it had pleased the Lord to prosper him. His countenance fell suddenly.
His discomfiture in her unexpected disclosure was twofold, in that
it furnished a reason for Tyler's evident depression of spirits,
demolishing the augury that his manner had afforded as to the success of
the guest's mission, and furthermore, to Nehemiah's trafficking soul,
it suggested that a money consideration might be exacted to mollify the
rigors of parting.

For Nehemiah Yerby had risen to the dignities, solvencies, and
responsibilities of opening a store at the cross-roads in Kildeer
County. It was a new and darling enterprise with him, and his mind