ed to hide his dismay. "I am sorry, sir. It was scarcely
fair to my partner. You would, however, have beaten us, any way."

Barrington gravely gathered up the cards. "We will," he said, "have
some music. I do not play poker."

Then, for the first time, Winston lost his head in his anger. "Nor do
I, sir."

Barrington only looked at him, but the farmer felt as though somebody
had struck him in the face, and, as soon as he conveniently could, bade
Miss Barrington good-night.

"But we expected you would stay here a day or two. Your place is not
ready," she said.

Winston smiled at her. "I think I am wise. I must feel my way."

Miss Barrington was won, and, making no further protest, signed to
Dane. "You will take Mr. Courthorne home with you," she said. "I
would have kept him here, but he is evidently anxious to talk over
affairs with some one more of his age than my brother is."

Dane appeared quite willing, and, an hour later, Winston sat, cigar in
hand, in a room of his outlying farm. It was furnished simply, but
there were signs of taste, and the farmer who occupied it had already
formed a good opinion of the man whose knowledge of his own profession
astonished him.

"So you are actually going to sell wheat in face of the Colonel's
views?" he said.

"Of course!" said Winston simply. "I don't like unpleasantness, but I
can allow no man to dictate my affairs to me."

Dane grinned. "Well," he said, "the Colonel can be nasty, and he has
no great reason for being fond of you already."

"No?" said Winston. "Now, of course, my accession will make a
difference at Silverdale, but I would consider it a friendly act if you
will let me know the views of the colony."

Dane looked thoughtful. "The trouble is that your taking up the land
leaves less for Maud Barrington than there would have been.
Barrington, who is fond of the girl, was trustee for the property, and
after your--estrangement from your father--everybody expected she would
get it all."

"So I have deprived Miss Barrington of part of her income?"

"Of course," said Dane. "Didn't you know?"

Winston found it difficult to answer. "I never quite realized it
before. Are there more accounts against me?"

"That," said Dane slowly, "is rather a facer. We are all more or less
friends of the dominant family, you see."

Winston laid down his cigar and stood up. "Now," he said, "I generally
talk straight, and you have held out a hand to me.