s bawling me out," he gayly pretended to whisper. "I
never sold a windmill in my life. But I'm on my uppers. I've got a
good proposition. This country needs the Dynamo Aermotor and I need
the money. So I took the agency. I have learned a fifteen minutes'
spiel. It gives seven reasons why Mr. Charlton will miss half the joy
of life until he buys a Dynamo. Do you think he is a good prospect,
Miss Rutherford?"

"Dad has been talking windmill," she said. "Sell him one."

"So has Jess Tighe," Charlton added. He turned to Jeff Rutherford.
"Couldn't you take Mr. Street over to see Jess to-morrow morning?"

Jeff started promptly to decline, but as his friend's eyes met his he
changed his mind. "I guess I could, maybe."

"I don't want to trouble you, Mr. Rutherford," objected Roy.

Something in the manner of Charlton annoyed Beulah. This young man was
her guest. She did not see any reason why Brad should bombard him with
questions.

"If Jeff is too busy I'll take you myself," she told Beaudry.

"Oh, Jeff won't be too busy. He can take a half-day off," put in his
father.

When Charlton left, Beulah followed him as far as the porch.

"Do you think Mr. Street is a horse-thief that you ask him so many
questions?" she demanded indignantly.

He looked straight at her. "I don't know what he is, Beulah, but I'm
going to find out."

"Isn't it possible that he is what he says he is?"

"Sure it's possible, but I don't believe it."

"Of course, I know you like to think the worst of a man, but when you
meet him in my house I'll thank you to treat him properly. I vouch for
him."

"You never met him before this afternoon."

"That's my business. It ought to be enough for you that he is my
guest."

Charlton filled in the ellipsis. "If it isn't I can stay away, can't
I? Well, I'm not going to quarrel with you, Beulah. Good-night."

As soon as he was out of sight of the ranch, Charlton turned the head
of his horse, not toward his own place, but toward that of Jess Tighe.

Dr. Spindler drove up while Beulah was still on the porch. He examined
the bruised ankle, dressed it, and pronounced that all it needed was a
rest. No bones were broken, but the ligaments were strained. For
several days she must give up riding and walking.

The ankle pained a good deal during the night, so that its owner slept
intermittently. By morning she was no longer suffering, but was far
too restless to stay in the house.

"