lay o' this land, what d'you think Old Man Perkins
would do about it?" he inquired meaningly.

"Prove his claim, and take part of our present farm away from us, of
course," Ralph retorted. "But there is no mistake. The land is ours."

"And if it is, would you be willing to sell----"

"Not a square foot of it---to Perkins."

So saying, Ralph picked up his cap, and carefully brushed off the clay
and leaves. As he did so, the shining feather caught his downcast
eyes once more, and this time he stooped, picked it up, and
deliberately stuck it under the band of the inside of his cap. Then
he secured the faithful Keno, and, without another word to Bill
Terrill, who had moved away whistling defiantly, he tramped homeward,
in a rather gloomy mood.

CHAPTER II

A TIMELY SUGGESTION

Doctor Kane, the kindly physician from Oakvale, was just coming down
the path from the Kenyon farmhouse as Ralph rode into the yard. He
paused beside his car, seeing the lad dismount hastily and come
forward with an anxious appeal in his brown eyes.

"How---how is she to-day?" Ralph asked, when he had grasped the
doctor's outstretched hand. "Her eyes---are they------"

"No better, and no worse," replied his friend; and again the doctor
explained the situation in simple terms that Ralph could understand.

"What will the operation cost?" Ralph asked desperately.

Doctor Kane pondered for a moment.

"Well, if she will consent to go before a clinic, I think I can get
her off with a hundred and twenty-five dollars, including hospital
fees," he replied. "I'll be glad to go with her to the city, Ralph,
and pay the car fares."

Ralph knew he meant by "car fares" traveling expenses, for he was
familiar with Doctor Kane's habit of belittling his many charitable
acts. He knew also that, if necessary, the doctor would gladly
lend him the sum of money which stood, a tangible barrier, between
his mother and total darkness; but with a sense of indomitable
hope and modest pride, he had resolved not to ask for that favor,
which, he realized, would be no small one, except as a last resort.

"You're awfully kind, sir," he responded warmly. "I appreciate-----"

"Nonsense!" ejaculated Doctor Kane. "It will be a pleasure for
me to do anything I can for your mother and you, my boy. Your
father was one of the best friends I ever had, and some day I'll
tell you how I came to owe him a debt which I shall never be able
to repay. Just call