ke! You never thought of being the lady your
sister is, and certainly I wouldn't say that you can hold a candle to
_me_! I was brought up by a lady, and I call myself as thorough a one as
any of your society friends!"

"Oh, Polly--dearest!" Eleanor squealed, running over and squeezing her
friend in her arms so that she gasped. Then releasing her, said: "I
never heard anything so glorious in my life! Not even the suffrage
leader in Chicago, when she was stumping for 'Votes for Women,' was ever
as thrilling as you!"

"Polly, you are right! A girl has as good a right to her individual
expression in life as any man has. I will champion your cause,
henceforth, and even try to convince your father that he is
narrow-minded in his selfishness about tying you to his heels," declared
Anne Stewart, bravely throwing down the "glove" to every one.

Eleanor now transferred her hugs and admiration to Anne, and Mrs.
Brewster lifted her face from the screen of a handkerchief to look at
John.

Tom Latimer and John exchanged looks, then turned to Mrs. Brewster. John
was the first to speak.

"Mother, it looks as if 'Polly-Eleanor Company' are going to incorporate
themselves in spite of all we can do to claim their shares of stock."

"I haven't a doubt but that the 'Polly-Eleanor Company,' is bound to
succeed in any venture of life," replied Mrs. Brewster.

"Mother, you don't blame me for wanting to get away from you?" cried
Polly, running over to her mother.

"Dearest, I would be a poor mother if I expected to have my children
hang about my neck to remind me that I ought to be petted and worked
for, just because I claimed the right of being their parent! Every noble
parent is only too willing to judiciously assist a child in finding his
or her own niche in life.

"I have known for a long time that you would realize how stunting this
ranch-life is to your unfolding aspirations. For me, it embraces all
that I love and have, but for you two ambitious children of my younger
days, it would be a veritable grave.

"I feel exactly as Anne does about this step--try your own wings, dear
child, and wisely select your own walk in life. No father or mother can
live your life for you, but they can guide and warn you away from snares
and pitfalls. When a child has cast aside its 'swaddling clothes,' as
you said, it must stand alone.

"I have argued this out with your father, many times this past year, but
he clings fondly to the belief that