incott, who was rocking on the legs of his
chair.

"I know mighty well what you want to say to me, Squire Hexter," stated
the object of the regard. "You don't need to say a word, though. I'll do
the saying. Vaniman, you have had a raw deal. But you'll soon be through
the woods. I'm going to have a bank in my new town. You're going to be
the boss of it."

"Just a moment before you say anything, Frank," expostulated the Squire
when Vaniman, choking with doubts and gratitude both, attempted to
speak. "I propose to start at once for the shire town. I'll begin with
the county attorney. I'll have your name cleared inside of twenty-four
hours."

"And don't bother with any Dobbins for that job," declared the colonel.
"Use my car. My chauffeur is hiding it in the bush a little ways from
here. And now, Vaniman, give me all your attention," he went on, with
the pride of a successful performer. "I'll tell you what's going to
happen over across the line in my town. It's going to interest you. You
have been a man of affairs and you can grasp what I'm saying."

But Vaniman did not seem to be grasping even that introduction of the
subject. He had heard hurrying footsteps outside the house.

"You'll never listen to anything that will stir your blood like what I'm
going to tell you of my plans for the future," insisted the colonel.

But a tremulous voice called: "Frank! Frank!"

Vaniman leaped from his chair and turned his back on the man who
proposed to stir the blood of the listener.

Squire Hexter hurried to Colonel Wincott and whispered information
which caused the master of The Promised Land to elevate his eyebrows
understandingly.

"Great Caesar! Why, sure!" he blurted, and popped up out of his chair.

Following the Squire, he tiptoed to the door and stood on one side when
the notary opened and peeped out.

"Vona!" called the Squire, gently. "The boy is in here. Come!"

She ran past them into the room.

Colonel Wincott ducked out and the Squire followed and closed the door.
He closed it slowly, softly, reverently, and then turned a smiling face
of compassionate understanding toward Xoa and the colonel.

CHAPTER XXXI

THROUGH THE GATES OF THE DAWN INTO "LIBERTY"

There was a hush in the Squire's house. The three who were in the
sitting room discussed affairs, subduing their tones almost to whispers.

When somebody tramped on to the porch and pounded on the door, the
interruption was startling.

The Squire