firm, Jim, she'll manage you. But what's your particular job, Carrie?"

"Supplies. When it comes to handling foodstuff, menfolk don't know how
to buy. Then they waste, and the hash a man camp-cook puts up is
seldom fit to eat."

"There's some truth in that," Jake remarked with feeling. "It looks as
if you had got your program fixed."

"I have," said Carrie, with resolute quietness. "I'm going."

Jake smiled at his comrade. "You had better agree. When Carrie talks
like that she can't be moved by argument. Anyhow, the trail's broken
to the wirehead and if she gets tired she can come back."

"I may get tired," said Carrie. "But I shall not come back. There's
another thing: I have a share in the Bluebird and want a stake on the
telegraph line. Well, I've saved a hundred dollars."

"Carrie's pile!" Jake remarked. "She means to throw it in; that's the
kind of girl my sister is. As a business proposition, our venture's
humorous. We haven't capital enough to stand for one setback, and if
luck's against us we'll sure go broke. To begin with, I've got to put
up a big bluff on the construction department in order to get the job;
look as if I owned a bank roll and didn't care if we got paid or not.
Well, one takes steep chances in this country, and I allow there's
something to be said for the small man who goes out with an ax, five
dollars, and a bag of flour, to make a road or build a log bridge.
Folks don't know how much he means and all he has to stand for."

Carrie's eyes sparkled. "You and Jim know. I'm going to find out."

Then Mrs. Winter came in. She was a pale, quiet woman whom Jim had
thought dull until he saw her work. She listened, making a few
remarks, while Jake talked about their plans.

"Well," she said at length, "your cousin is coming and she'll help me
run the store. It has certainly got to be run; you'll need some money
if you go broke."

"We're not going broke," Carrie rejoined with a hint of emotion. "Jake
has got to make good for your sake. Some day we'll sell out the
business and you shall rest as long as you like."

Mrs. Winter smiled, rather wearily. "I don't know if I'd like to do
nothing; I've hustled so long. Still I've sometimes thought I'd like
to find out how it feels just to sit quiet for a piece. Now the oven's
good and hot; there's a batch of biscuit ready and you'd better come
and help."

She took Carrie away and when they had gone Jake looked at his comrade.