periment, and want it
to have a fair trial. Let me hear from you occasionally; and, if you are
in any great strait, apply to me."

Jack thanked her warmly, and she and Miss Lothrop went their way.

"She is a regular fairy godmother," he said enthusiastically to
Maverick. "I wonder that you do not adore her!" and he studied his
friend in astonishment.

"Have you never heard of people being so much alike they could not
agree?" he asked with a light laugh. "What ever possessed her to bring
Miss Lothrop? It was in bad taste, to say the least; and, whatever
faults aunt Jean may have, she seldom makes a blunder of that kind."

"Why, Sylvie was--well, a good deal pleased with her. The acquaintance
was so short"--

"Miss Barry is the most generous and least exacting woman that I ever
saw. She judges people by her own noble soul. Jack Darcy"--Maverick shut
his lips with a sudden resolution, and turned his face partly aside,
then said in a curiously changed tone, "We are two fools to be talking
about women, when there are more important matters on hand."

"But I shall always feel grateful to Miss McLeod. There are several
moneyed men here in Yerbury whose capital is lying idle, who would not
have done this thing for me if they knew it would keep half Yerbury from
starving. Yet, if I had offered them ten per cent, they would hardly
have hesitated. It does seem to me sometimes, that these old dons tempt
one into lying first, and swindling afterward. If you make them all
straight, they do not care how much crooked work you do elsewhere."

"Natural depravity and innate selfishness."

And now began the real work. The mills were cleaned of the year's
accumulation of dust and cobwebs and general untidiness. Winston went at
the machinery with hearty good-will, and put it in order. Circulars were
sent out to the old patrons and to new houses, and workmen, workwomen,
and children straggled in to see what was going on. Were Hope Mills to
be really opened? and was Mr. Darcy to be master? True, a good many of
the best men had gone off to try their luck elsewhere, but there were
plenty left for a start. Only, there was a mystery these people could
not understand. Something about wages, and something about money; and
Jack patiently explained the matter, until, as he told Maverick, he felt
like a cheap-John auctioneer, dispensing wares.

"The best thing will be to have a meeting," declared Maverick. "See
here, Darcy: I'll hire Brock's