king him to transmit as
much as he thought proper to Lee, and then awaited developments. The first
result was a note from storekeeper Moran saying that as he was looking up
orders for implements he would call on me, which he did presently, and
proceeded to discuss the matter with frankness.

"My wife has taken a fancy to Mrs. Fletcher," he said. "We just call her
Minnie because there's no particular reason to handicap her with her
husband's name. She's a mighty smart honest woman, and we knew that story
about you was a lie from the beginning--did our best to keep it from her,
but I think she knew. We were startled some when she lit out with the
sleigh, but she came back half-dead, and we asked no questions until she
told us. She's been sick and fretful since, but I guess there's nothing
you can do. When we can't keep a sick woman who has done good work for us
a while we'll give up the business. She'll be pert again directly."

"You are a very kind man," said Aline, glancing at him critically.

"Thank you, miss," Moran answered. "You just make your mind easy about
Mrs. Fletcher; and now, Lorimer, we'll talk business. You'll want a new
binder if you're putting in much of a crop, and I've got the latest
machines coming in from Toronto."

Aline burst into a hearty laugh, in which I joined her, for the speech was
characteristic of the native prairie inhabitants' character. Frugal, but
open-handed, hard to beat at a bargain, they are equally swift to seize
upon all chances that lead to business and do the stranger an
unostentatious kindness, though they have no false delicacy in forthwith
establishing commercial relations with the man they benefit.

"Don't see any joke!" said Moran. "You want a binder. I've seen the old
one, and I've got lots to sell. Of course we'll look after Mrs. Fletcher,
but that's no reason I should miss a deal."

The result was that I ordered an expensive binder which I had hoped to do
without, and presently Moran departed with the order in his pocket.

"I think he was very sensible," said Aline, "and you know you said the old
machine would hardly have lasted."

Harry answered promptly, and said he expected I should see Lee very soon.
He had been restless ever since he heard of Fletcher's blacksliding, and
had, among other things, embarked upon two unpopular crusades. He even
seemed disappointed, Harry added, because there was so little drunkenness
and loose living for him to grapple with.

"T