aid
the girl, deftly thrusting a plateful of hot cakes upon him. Divided
between gratitude and annoyance, Geoffrey stood still, stupidly holding
out the dainties at arm's length, while flavored syrup dripped from
them. It was equally impossible to return them without flagrant
discourtesy or to retire with any dignity. Finally, he moved out
backwards still clutching the plate of cakes, and when he had
disappeared Helen laughed softly, while Jean's merriment rang out in
rippling tones.

"You saved the situation," said Helen. "It was really getting
embarrassing, and he made me ashamed. I ought to have known better
than to play that trick with the dollar, but the poor man looked as if
he needed it. He is certainly not a hobo, and I could wonder who he
is, but that it does not matter, as we shall never see him again."

Meanwhile, Geoffrey Thurston walked savagely down the trail. He felt
greatly tempted to hurl the cakes away, but, on second thoughts, ate
them instead. It was a trifling decision, but it led to important
results, as trifles often do, because, if he had not satisfied his
hunger, he would have limped back through the settlement towards the
railroad and probably never would have re-entered the valley. As it
was, when the edge of his hunger was blunted he felt drowsy, and,
curling himself up among the roots of hemlock, sank into slumber under
the open sky. Early next morning Bransome stopped him on the trail.

"I've been thinking over what you told me about making a rock cutting
to run the water clear of my meadows," said the rancher, "and if you're
still keen on business I'm open to talk to you."

"Why didn't you talk yesterday morning?" inquired Thurston, and
Bransome answered frankly: "Well, just then I had my doubts about you;
now I figure that if you say you can do a thing, you can. Come over to
the ranch, and, if we can't make a deal, I'll give you a week's work,
any way."

"Thanks!" replied Thurston. "I should be glad to, but I have some
business at the settlement first. Will you advance me a dollar, on
account of wages, so that I can discharge a debt to the storekeeper?"

"Why, yes!" agreed the rancher. "But didn't you get a dollar from
Graham yesterday? Do you want two?"

"Yes!" said Thurston. "I want two," and Bransome laughed.

"You're in a greater hurry to pay your debts than other folks from your
country I've met over here," he observed with a smile. "But come on to
the ranc