horses knew what was coming, and it was only when he pulled
them up to a trot again on the slope of a rise that he found speech
convenient.

"I am glad we are alone, though I feel a little diffidence in asking a
favor of you because unfortunately when I venture to recommend anything
you usually set yourself against it," he said. "This is, in the
language of this country, tolerably straight."

Maud Barrington laughed. "I could find no fault with it on the score
of ambiguity."

"Well," said Winston, "I believe your uncle is going to sell wheat for
you, and let a good deal of your land go out of cultivation. Now, as
you perhaps do not know, the laws which govern the markets are very
simple and almost immutable, but the trouble is that a good many people
do not understand their application."

"You apparently consider yourself an exception," said the girl.

Winston nodded. "I do just now. Still, I do not wish to talk about
myself. You see, the people back there in Europe must be fed, and the
latest news from wheat-growing countries does not promise more than an
average crop, while half the faint-hearted farmers here are not going
to sow much this year. Therefore when the demand comes for Western
wheat there will be little to sell."

"But how is it that you alone see this? Isn't it a trifle egotistical?"

Winston laughed. "Can't we leave my virtues, or the reverse, out of
the question? I feel that I am right, and want you to dissuade your
uncle. It would be even better if, when I return to Winnipeg, you
would empower me to buy wheat for you."

Maud Barrington looked at him curiously. "I am a little perplexed as
to why you should wish me to."

"No doubt," said Winston. "Still, is there any reason why I should be
debarred the usual privilege of taking an interest in my neighbor's
affairs?"

"No," said the girl slowly. "But can you not see that it is out of the
question that I should intrust you with this commission?"

Winston's hands closed on the reins, and his face grew a trifle grim as
he said, "From the point of view you evidently take, I presume it is."

A flush of crimson suffused the girl's cheeks. "I never meant that,
and I can scarcely forgive you for fancying I did. Of course I could
trust you with--you have made me use the word--the dollars, but you
must realize that I could not do anything in public opposition to my
uncle's opinion."

Winston was sensible of a great relief, but it did